White Manna Introduce
Introduction / Overview: A New Jersey Institution Since 1946
For decades, **White Manna** in Hackensack has stood as a genuine New Jersey icon, a must-visit destination that transcends the definition of a mere hamburger restaurant. More than just a place to grab a bite, it is a culinary time capsule, a small, stainless-steel diner structure that embodies the golden age of American roadside eateries. Its history is significant; after originating as a component of the 1939 World's Fair, the establishment found its permanent home at **358 River St** in 1946, predating many of the national fast-food chains that dominate the landscape today.
White Manna is rightly famous for its signature **Sliders**—small, delectable burgers that are cooked to perfection with a pile of thinly sliced onions, smashed flat on the griddle, and served on a warm, steamy Martin's Potato Roll. This specific method of cooking, where the onions sizzle in the beef's juices, infusing the patty and softening the bun with aromatic steam, is the core of its acclaimed **local specialty**. The result is a uniquely "disgustingly delicious" experience, as one long-time customer fondly puts it, and a flavor that has earned the joint appearances on national television shows like $textit{Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives}$ and $textit{Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations}$.
The atmosphere is a dynamic blend of **Historic** charm and **Lively** energy. Despite its tiny, shoebox size, White Manna is a beloved gathering place, popular with **Locals**, **Tourists**, and **College students** alike. It serves as a bustling hub for **Lunch**, **Dinner**, and even **Late-night food**—a true comfort food haven that promises a quick, affordable, and authentically New Jersey dining adventure.
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Location and Accessibility: Foundational in Hackensack
White Manna is conveniently located on the banks of the Hackensack River at **358 River St, Hackensack, NJ 07601, USA**. This easily identifiable location in Bergen County makes it a practical stop for anyone traveling through the area or seeking a quick bite while near the Hackensack River waterfront.
For visitors driving to this historic landmark, parking is made simple with readily available options. The restaurant features a **Free parking lot** directly on-site, providing a dedicated space for patrons. Additionally, **Free street parking** is generally available in the vicinity, adding to the convenience of a visit. Accessibility is considered for all guests, particularly with the inclusion of **Wheelchair accessible parking lot** spaces, offering a smoother experience for those who require them.
The highly distinctive stainless-steel diner structure itself, which was built by the Paramount Dining Car Company, is a visual landmark for local users. While the counter-style seating is intimate and **Cozy**, the ease of access via the main River Street thoroughfare and the dedicated parking ensures that this historic burger joint remains easily reachable for the North Jersey community.
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Services Offered
White Manna provides a streamlined, customer-focused selection of services designed to deliver their famous sliders and comfort food quickly and efficiently, whether you're staying or taking your meal on the road.
- Dine-in (Onsite Services): Guests can enjoy the classic experience by pulling up a stool at the horseshoe-shaped **Counter service** area, allowing them to watch the cooks masterfully prepare the sliders right on the griddle. This is the heart of the "chaos control" atmosphere that fans love.
- Takeout (Takeaway): A substantial portion of the business focuses on quick and efficient **Takeout** orders, which is the perfect option for those looking to grab a dozen sliders to enjoy at home or on the job.
- Delivery and No-contact Delivery: For ultimate convenience, White Manna offers **Delivery** and **No-contact delivery** options, ensuring that the warm, steamy sliders can be enjoyed without ever leaving the house or office.
- Dining Times: The restaurant operates for all major mealtimes, including **Breakfast**, **Lunch**, and **Dinner**, with a special emphasis on serving **Late-night food** for those satisfying late-hour cravings.
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Features / Highlights
The features of White Manna are what truly set it apart, making it more than a restaurant—it's a cultural destination deeply rooted in the New Jersey dining scene.
- Historic & Iconic Atmosphere: The small, 1946-era stainless steel building creates a unique and **Historic** backdrop. The **Casual**, **Lively**, and even **Trendy** atmosphere attracts a diverse crowd, including a welcoming environment confirmed to be **LGBTQ+ friendly** and a **Transgender safespace**.
- Affordable & Classic Menu: The menu adheres to the classic roadside ethos, offering exceptional value. The standard **Hamburger** and **Cheeseburger** sliders remain at highly accessible price points, alongside other traditional offerings like $text{FRENCH FRIES}$ and classic $text{MILKSHAKES}$.
- Speed and Comfort: Known for **Fast service** in a highly functional setting, the entire operation is geared toward providing a **Quick bite** of pure **Comfort food**. The unique, multi-person ordering system (one for burgers, one for drinks/fries) is part of its charm and efficiency.
- Unique Beverage Offerings: While known for classic sodas and shakes, White Manna also holds a state liquor license, featuring **Wine** among its **Offerings**, a unique addition for a fast-food counter service establishment. **Coffee** is also available.
- Payment Convenience: The establishment accepts modern payment methods, including **Credit cards**, **Debit cards**, and **NFC mobile payments**, ensuring a smooth transaction process for all customers.
- Crowd Favorites: The spot is incredibly **Popular for** its primary products during **Lunch**, **Dinner**, and **Solo dining**, and is widely considered **Good for kids**.
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Contact Information
To experience the historic charm and famous sliders, or to place a large order, please use the following contact details.
Address:
358 River St, Hackensack, NJ 07601, USA
Phone Number:
(201) 342-0914 (General inquiries/orders)
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What is Worth Choosing at White Manna
Choosing White Manna is a pilgrimage for any true New Jersey food enthusiast, offering an experience that simply cannot be replicated by modern chain restaurants. What is truly worth choosing here is the combination of **historical significance** and the simple, perfected product.
The primary draw is, without a doubt, the iconic **slider**. This is not just a small burger; it is a meticulously crafted bite of history. When you order the **Cheeseburger** ($1.75) or a **Double Hamburger** ($2.45), you are experiencing the quintessential New Jersey "belly bomb"—a tiny package of fresh, high-quality ground beef that is smashed flat on the griddle. As the meat cooks, it is blanketed with a generous pile of hand-cut onions. The heat from the grill causes the onions to steam the soft Martin's Potato Rolls stacked on top, infusing the entire sandwich with a sweet, savory, and powerfully aromatic onion flavor. This steam-fried technique is the secret to the sliders' legendary taste, distinguishing them from any other fast-food offering.
Furthermore, the **full experience of the historic atmosphere** is a reason to choose White Manna. The **Counter service** provides a captivating culinary theater, where you can watch the highly efficient cook navigate a flood of orders with practiced ease. The atmosphere is often described as a lovable kind of **chaos**, a vibrant, unique energy that makes the meal memorable. While you may encounter a line—the sign of a truly beloved establishment, as indicated by the "Usually a wait" feature—the wait is part of the fun and a testament to the food’s enduring popularity. Unlike the pristine, high-cost, and hard-to-access gourmet burger spots in major cities, White Manna is the democratic, down-to-earth choice. It is simple, satisfying, and authentically working-class, a historic piece of Americana that has rightfully earned its accolades as one of the best, most unique burger experiences in the entire country.
White Manna Menu
SANDWICHES
- HAMBURGER $1.40
- CHEESEBURGER $1.75
- DOUBLE HAMBURGER $2.45
- DOUBLE CHEESEBURGER $2.75
- STEAK & CHEESE $4.55
- PICKLES $2.50
12 OZ
- CHEESE SANDWICH $2.00
- FRENCH FRIES $2.65
- W-CHEESE $3.60
- PACKAGE OF ROLLS $3.99
- MILKSHAKES VANILLA $3.85
- CHOC STRAWBERRY B&W
White Manna Details
Service options
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Wine
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Counter service
- Table service
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Historic
- Lively
- Trendy
Crowd
- College students
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Locals
- Tourists
- Transgender safespace
Planning
- Usually a wait
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- On-site parking
- Parking
White Manna Photos










White Manna Location
White Manna Reviews
picklessmelldinerjointpotato breadsteamedcrinkle cutcrowd1946potato bun
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1I have finally made it to the Mecca of burgers and historical landmark. Walking in you're greeted with the smell of onions and meat cooking on a grill, there's a ton of people standing around a tiny little horseshoe of a counter looking bewildered. The cook just looks around and keeps saying next, and you yell out your order if you were next. A man comes out of the back every now and then asking if anyone wants fries or drinks. Don't try to order the fries or drinks before you order your burgers, you'll be told no order your burgers first. It's definitely a sight to be seen. The burgers themselves are disgustingly delicious. That's if you enjoy some grilled meat smashed flat with a pile of onions on a warm toasty steamy roll. They'll give you some pickles and catch up if you want on your burger or cheeseburger. The crinkle cut fries were very good, nice and big and a nice heaping portion full. Definitely a fun place to go to if you've never been, but I don't necessarily think you need to rush back.
April 17 · #Hashtag SteveJThese days, Burgers at a place run by Hogsalt Group (4 Charles Prime, Au Cheval, Monkey Bar etc) are the local favorites. But try finding a table at 4 Charles Prime, yep, the tables open 21 days in advance, and are almost immediately all gone.Almost all good Burger Joints in NYC, 7th Street Burger, Hamburger America, are all busy. Success is well deserved. These places are well organized, well run and aim for excellence. They make NYC proud.Then there is a tiny shoe box sized burger joint in Hackensack NJ - White Manna. It opened in 1939 at World ‘s Fair and then moved to Hackensack (NJ) in 1946. It opened in NJ before the first McDonald opened in NJ.Cheeseburger at one of the places mentioned above (in NYC), will set you back $40. A slider at White Mana costs $2.50. One is uber gourmet, the other is just a simple slider (with onions if you prefer).So, while the places in NYC are pristine, White Mana is a poster child for chaos control. One person takes the order for burgers; another takes the order for fries; and a third for drinks. All this in a tiny place, while you move around looking for a place to sit. You eventually sit by the counter and watch the guy make the burgers. Typically, I order and finish my fries before I get a chance to place my order for the burgers. I get a seat at the counter after I place my burger order. White Manna is quintessential NJ, eventually everything works out. Somehow, they remember who ordered what, and you leave hoping to return soon.Tomorrow there will newer and better burger joints in NYC. Their operations will be more immaculate, and their ambience even more amazing. BUT as a betting person I feel we will always have White Manna in NJ. It will be chaotic, and it will always have awesome sliders.
August 30 · Imtiaz SayedWhite Manna in Hackensack is an absolute classic — and it lives up to the hype! The sliders are small but packed with flavor: juicy, perfectly seared beef with grilled onions and melty cheese, all on a soft potato bun. Simple, no-frills, and absolutely delicious. The place has an old-school diner vibe that makes the whole experience feel nostalgic in the best way. Be ready for a little wait as its a small spot with barely any chairs, you might even wait shoulder to shoulder with other customers because of how small it is; but trust me, it’s worth it every time. A must-visit if you’re in the area and craving a proper burger done right! I personally came from another state just to try it out that's how you know its GOOD!
July 27 · Omar SWhile on a road trip. I came across this hidden gem. Seen them on social media a few years ago and figured whenever I'm in the north jersey area, I would stop by. And they did not disappoint.The building looks like an old school, side of the road diner. The metallic exterior, old signs. The interior with old school counters and stood, U shaped around the grill and counters around the back wall. Old school menu signs. Instant nostalgia.It's a tight squeeze, but the smell of fresh beef hits your nose as soon as you open the door. The grill in eye sight is filled with patties cooking. Friday night bites? HERE WE GO!!!The patties are more of a slider size. So I ordered 2 double cheeseburger w/ onions. I was observing only customer's order up to 10 burgers!!! If you can tackle that challenge be my guest 😂.The patty wasn't seasoned. But the quality of the beef's natural flavor was good. Onions were also cooked with the patties to add a natural sweetness. The bun steamed onto of the patty as well, created an astounding balance of sweet, savory, and earthyness. Price was very reasonable as well. If you have $20, you'll come out with a bag of burgers easily. They also take cash, or card btw.How does this rates on my Shenanigator Scale? White Manna is now in my top 3 of burger places I've eaten. It's also worth the detour, to stop through on any road trip. Great atmosphere, great comfort food, great service.
July 26 · Shenanigator XMy favorite hole in the wall burger joint. Been coming here since I was a kid. Not living in NJ anymore, I make a point to drive the extra hour to come here when time allows. Don’t be intimidated by how fast things move, but you gotta know what you’re ordering and how to order when your turn comes up. Doubles or singles, with or without cheese and onions. Always delicious food at a great price. Can’t wait to come back.
May 18 · Steven Hand
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