When you’re overdue, the desperation can push you to try just about anything to encourage your little one to make their grand entrance. From consuming castor oil to munching on pineapple, soon-to-be moms have explored it all. However, at Caioti’s Pizza Cafe in Studio City, California, many women are convinced that the answer lies in a dish known simply as “The Salad.”
Owner Lisa Montague shared with Buzzfeed that the salad has been a go-to for expectant mothers for decades. “A pregnant woman first tried it 28 years ago and then started having contractions,” she explained. That sparked an urban legend that has stood the test of time. “We see anywhere from five to twenty pregnant women each day who come in specifically for The Salad, and we often have their partners waiting outside with takeout bags,” she added.
While the cafe doesn’t officially claim that The Salad will hasten labor, the evidence is hard to ignore. They proudly display a plaque on the wall featuring the names of babies who arrived shortly after their moms indulged in the salad. Even celebrity mom, Jenna Harper, tried it and welcomed her little one just two days later.
Expecting mothers visiting the cafe can sign a special guest book, leaving messages of encouragement for each other or telling their babies to “Hurry up and GET OUT!”
What’s in This Magical Salad?
The ingredients are quite simple: a generous serving of romaine lettuce, watercress, walnuts, and Gorgonzola cheese. Many speculate that the key to igniting contractions is the balsamic basil vinaigrette dressing. Some adventurous moms-to-be have even taken to gulping the dressing straight in hopes of speeding things along.
For those not residing in California, the exact recipe for this fabled dressing remains a well-guarded secret. The cafe has revealed that it includes olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and various herbs, but employees must sign confidentiality agreements to keep the precise details under wraps.
Caioti’s does offer the balsamic basil dressing bottled for sale, but their website seems to be on the fritz. A quick search on Amazon and eBay yields no results either. If you happen to have a friend in the Studio City area, consider asking for a care package. And if you’re looking for a spot for a babymoon, it might be worth the trip—don’t forget they serve pizza too!
This article originally appeared on February 27, 2017.
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Summary
Caioti’s Pizza Cafe in Studio City, California, is famous for “The Salad,” a dish that many pregnant women believe helps induce labor. With simple ingredients and a secret dressing, this urban legend draws in expectant moms daily, with stories of successful deliveries following a meal at the cafe.