Celery Victor

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Synthesised from Google · TripAdvisor · Reddit · Yelp · 1 food blog · Updated August 2026

The story the reviews tell

Celery Victor emerged from San Francisco's golden age of hotel cooking in 1910, when Victor Hirtzler transformed humble celery hearts into something elegant by simmering them in stock, then steeping them in bright citrus or vinegar until tender and tangy. The dish arrives cool and composed—pale vegetable hearts nestled with mild peppers, sometimes cradled on lettuce—a meditation on restraint that somehow became an American classic. It's the kind of preparation that whispers rather than shouts, letting the celery's natural minerality shine through the gentle marinade.

What makes this version distinct

Celery Victor is an historical American marinated celery salad dish invented in 1910 by Victor Hirtzler, head chef at San Francisco's St. Francis Hotel, who is also credited with inventing Crab Louie. The dish, an "American classic", was popularized by author Clarence Edwords in his 1914 book, A Bohemian Guide to San Francisco Restaurants. To prepare, celery hearts are simmered in a veal, chicken, or beef stock, chilled (often in a citrus or vinegar marinade), tossed with mild peppers, and sometimes served over lettuce.

Signature elements