We passed in front of White Mana Diner many times, but did not know the history being this tiny diner that sits in the corner of Manhattan Avenue and Tonnele Avenue in Jersey City. This place was built in 1939 by Paramount Diner, a company located in Oakland, NJ for the 1939 World Fair and is the sister restaurant of White Manna in Hackensack. Both diners take their name from the biblical food, manna, but lost an “n” because of a mistake when manufacturing the sign! It is said that this is in this place that the slider was invented. Surely, when you step in, you have the impression it is frozen in time: as soon as you enter, you see the horseshoe shaped counter (the small dining room is closed) that surrounds the front kitchen where burgers are made. They are not the best burger you would have but it is all about the experience: the meat, that they apparently hand roll, is thin compared to the potato bun. They precook it with few pieces of onion and will finish the cooking process as customer order. Still, tasty, but then noticed the big WEB 1/4 lb that might be their quarter pounder. Too late: I already ordered: would be for the next time.

Jodi got a grilled cheese that was made in the back kitchen and we shared some fries.

To accompany my 2 cheeseburgers (I ordered a second one when I realized I would still be hungry), I decided to get a vanilla milkshake that was poured from the machine on the right side of the room. Interesting to see that, to make a chocolate milkshake, they simply add chocolate syrup and mix it with the vanilla milkshake.

Overall, it was good and cheap ($19.85 for all of this). Not the best burger but I would go back for the experience.

Enjoy (I did)!

If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!

White Mana Diner - 470 Tonnele Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07307

White Mana Diner in Jersey City

I Just Want To Eat!