"For a small
to medium-size firm to make it to 50 years, in today’s day and
age of big conglomerates, is a major accomplishment," says
Louis Ballarino, of the Dairy Maid Ravioli Company in Gravesend
that he owns with his brother, Salvatore,
The company, which celebrated its landmark anniversary on Oct.
11, 2003, produces fine pasta products such as manicotti, stuffed
shells, tortellini and cavatelli.
To pair with the pasta, Dairy Maid sells containers of marinara,
meat, Alfredo, calamari and scungilli sauces. And to keep up
with changing customer demand, the Ballarinos have added lobster,
asparagus and portobello mushroom ravioli to their standard meat
and cheese offerings.
Dairy Maid products are sold in John’s Meat Market, 2667 Coney
Island Ave. at Avenue X in Sheepshead Bay, (718) 743-5770; and
G & S Salumeria and Pork Store, 2611 Avenue U between 26th
and 27th streets in Midwood, (718) 646-9111. The company also
maintains a well-stocked retail store in front of the plant for
local shoppers in need of a carbo fix.
Dairy Maid Ravioli Company (216 Ave. U between West Fifth and
Van Sicklen streets) accepts cash only. The store is open Tuesday
through Saturday, 8 am to 6 pm. For further information, call
(718) 449-2620 or visit their Web site at www.dairymaidravioli.com.
