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Elsie the Cow was the unofficial mascot and representative of Borden milk products, first made famous by a revolutionary patent to create condensed milk -- milk that could be canned and stored without refrigeration. Condensed milk was a key element to sustain Union Army soldiers during the Civil War. The Borden family also developed the method of glass bottled milk and evaporated milk. In 1881, the Bordens moved to Wallkill and created a 1,500-acre estate along the Wallkill River. The Bordens modernized the dairy industry and created the infrastructure for the Hamlet of Wallkill.
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Elsie the Cow -- whose celebrity status once matched the likes of Joe Dimaggio and Mickey Mouse -- was seen in magazines, newspapers, billboards, TV commercials, and even in movies. In fact, she is one of America's top 10 advertising icons of all time. She is now the "face" of Borden cheese products and the Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.
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Naming the restaurant "Elsie's Place"
seemed fitting because of the eatery's location
and to pay tribute to our hamlet's heritage.
Elsie's Place is a local gathering for people who like home-cooked meals. We pride ourselves on using fresh ingredients and serving home-cooked meals that are cooked to order and reasonably priced, staying away from frozen pre-processed food. Our menu includes an eclectic American mix, from crab cakes to homemade pulled pork. We serve homemade 8 oz. hamburgers that are made fresh and served with hand-cut French fries. We also serve with fresh seafood, steaks, and pasta. The owner, Mirna Abada, brings to the table her Middle Eastern background combining her Israeli heritage with her restaurant experience in American and Italian cuisines.
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"I thought that good, home-cooked meals were hard to find, so I opened a restaurant
that serves delicious food in a casual dining atmosphere."
-- Mirna Abada,
owner, Elsie's Place