White Mana Diner

The place is open ²⁴⁄₇ and has historical importance. It was in the World Fair and is very old. However, the place is kind of sketchy and the food was okay, nothing out of the world. However, it is worth checking out this classic Jersey diner.

Some friends and I decided to come here one night but when we arrived I was very unimpressed by the appearance of this place. It must have been because of where this diner actually is located, because it is in an industrial area on a busy road. It just looks like an old time diner that hasn’t been updated in a few decades. The whole place just looks really sus. I got over this though and went in to check out the food. The inside also looks like an old time diner that hasn’t been updated in decades!
BUT before we could even order our food, one of my friends realized that someone was outside looking into my boyfriends car with a flashlight. My friend and boyfriend ran out to check on what was going on. The guy claimed to have just wanted to see if the car was manual or not, but it all seems too SUS to be that. We’re pretty sure he and his friends were trying to steal the car. Somehow, one of the other guests inside knew what was getting on before ever getting up she told me and my other friends «go check your car.» Girl, I don’t know what this place is up to or what they got going on in their parking lot but this place is just in a terrible location and ain’t worth it. The food was alright, the burgers look like oversized White Castle burgers. Its cheap too. I got a chocolate shake that didn’t taste like chocolate.
To end this, this place is sus af and I am never coming back here!

I’ve been hearing about this and the similarly named diner in Hackensack as burger Meccas of a sort for decades. Passed by today, I was hungry and it was lunch time so I figured why not check it out. The burgers were cheap, under two bucks. I’ve heard them referred to as sliders so I knew to order several. Ordered three with cheese.
Burgers were ready in seconds. I guess they are cooked ahead and quickly rewarmed when ordered. Unfortunately they were a disappointment. A big, pillowy bun, gobs of melted cheese and a slice of barely noticeable beef. Basically a meat flavored cheese sandwich.
It’s also on the grimy side.

Best late night burger spot! Deserves 5 stars, consistently delicious, simple food. Burgers taste like real beef burgers, and the cost is very low. I’ve come here all times of the day and night, and White Mana hits the spot every time.

Yummy yummy! Those small cheeseburgers are just classic. My boyfriend got the steak sandwich, which rocked! It was basically a cheesesteak on toast, I’ve never seen before but such a great idea! We ordered disco fries which were delicious ! The staff was awesome! A real diner feel, friendly and efficient !

Customer Service is not so great. They make you get up from your seat to order and pick up your own food at the counter. Burgers are not great. For something thats been around this long you would think there is something special here… I would have to be drunk at 3am to ever think about returning here.

I asked if they were affiliated with the Hackensack location and got a vehement NO! Should have known something was up then. Absolutely fab food if it’s late night and you happen to be at Ringside across the street. Any other time, just skip it. Full disclosure: I only had the cheeseburger. I felt the cheese overpowered the meat and could have used more grilled onions. Meh. Also in the spirit of full disclosure: I’m writing this review as I sit on the toilet. *drops mic*

Wow. All along I would just drove pass this place and not even take notice… Their burgers are great… Jesus and their so cheap! 5 cheeseburgers 2 bacon cheese burger large fries and 3 drinks for less than 20.00… Who can argue with that. And to top it off love how it made in front of you… The burger are small though like maybe white Castle size but better! Will Def be coming back here to try more and more stuff!

I actually liked the sliders here better than the White Manna, I think it has to do with the buns being overwhelming at the Manna. Anyways, I love the set-​up, and it is absolutely a strange place. If you have issues with order… it’s probably not the place for you. If you enjoy side shows and greasy spoons — this is your spot.
I’d go back here in a second.

Love eating here its a landmark. Enjoy the food the atmosphere is nostalgic. Come in order. and go. Great waffle fries and I order the bacon double cheeseburgers. Been coming here for years.

One of those old fashioned greasy burger joints! Not for an every day meal but when you want to have a go at a no frills burger and fries on the cheap come here.

Not anywhere as good as the Hackensack version.
Dirty. Grimy. And most importantly not as tasty.

One of those «you kind of have to just trust it» kind of place to really love it! Great for drunken nights — the place def has a certain old charm to it. I rather go here than White Castle! Great sliders that are cooked in front of you and shoestring friessssss! What more do you need! Everything is outdated (even the cash register) dated back to godknowswhen but hey, food is food and when it’s good you’ll overlook everything else!

Top 3 good things about this place:
1. Never closes.
2. Offers a standard American meal (cheeseburger & fries) and it’s actually tasty.
3. Old school charm
Top 3 things not-​so-​good about this place:
1. Saw someone order a strawberry shake. Real strawberry ice cream wasn’t used.
2. Cleanliness is not prioritized (floors, grills, etc). Your gray looking hamburger meat will be grilled on a sketchy looking grill.
3. Ordering process was convoluted when there were only a few people eating so I imagine when it’s crowded
I didn’t get diarrhea so I guess no E. coli? But don’t think I’d come here often. Don’t go out of your way unless you’re starving at 3AM and are driving by.

Love this place. If you’re into a greasy burger joint where you can watch your food cook up right before you eyes, this is the spot. An NJ staple.

*LATE NIGHT EATS*…Ok I never knew about this spot until a friend took me! Burgers and onion rings hit the spot! The prices are sooo little to nothing! Check out the specials! Great menu, great good options! They have everything you ever wanted!
Cash only!

This place could had gotten 3 stars but the guy that cooked my burgers didn’t use gloves when he grabbed my burgers to warm it up and then he used his bare hand to grab some pickles to put on my plate.
The burgers in this place was ok. It was bigger than white castle burgers and the price was decent for the little burgers but it was just not sanitary.

You don’t have to look at the memorabilia from 1939 to know that this place has been around for a while. You simply have to walk in.
The cheeseburgers were decent (way more «decent» than White Castle) and the mozzarella sticks were pretty good. Cash only. Apparently owned by the same gentleman that owns the Portuguese bar across the street. Worth a visit.

Its always open so when you are craving good burgers this is it… off st parking… counter seats, or booth. sit down order and eat… best place to eat after a night of drinking… a jersey city destination you need to go try! Its nothing fancy… mini burgers, cheese fries. cant go wrong with that.

I went to college in jersey city and drove by this place for years but never stopped in. Don’t know why. Then, one Sunday, I was in the area and decided to try a burger. I am a fan if the «other» White Manna in Hackensack (no connection) so I figured the food would be the same or, I hoped, better.
The place was empty, atmosphere sullen and the service non existent. When I finally got the attention of the grill person, I ordered the usual, a couple of burgers and fries with a Coke. Huge bun, tiny, dry burger and ordinary fries.
I called a friend who had been after me to make a run here to fill out his Unilocal profile and described the sad experience. He says he will still go to verify my review so that’s in my future. But I’m not looking forward to it.
Until then, this was a disappointing experience and I’m reluctant to go back.
I’m completely shocked by all the positive reviews. Suggestion, drive another half hour and go to Hackensack for what I think is a better burger joint.

Roll in at 3am, sit down at the counter, let the man at the grill take your order, make some new friends, and get ready to eat a mountain of burgers. Each burger is made with fresh ground beef, pressed onto the grill with fried onions, and finished by covering with cheese and steaming by covering it with the top of the roll. The fries are your standard shoe string and are actually NOT TURRIBLE. Can’t beat the price…8 burgers, an order of fries, and a bottle of water will run you about $ 14.
I enjoy this location more than the Hackensack location. The restaurant itself is more spacious and better ventilated so you don’t walk out smelling like you rolled in the onion pile on the grill. Second they use less onions on their burgers; and the onions are chopped finely versus left in long slices: they let the beef do the talking more. Also the rolls are little spongier at this location, helping to soak up all that burger juice. The pickles here in Jersey City are more McDonalds style than the more kosher dill style in Hackensack which for some reason just works a whole lot better with the burger/​cheese/​onion. Lastly, the fries here are shoestring versus the crinkle cuts offered in Hackensack. Crinkle cuts are the worst… save em for the elemenary school cafeteria!

I really wanted to like White Mana. I’m really sorry guys, I think i’m just too bougie to appreciate the charm for what it is.
I drive past it all the time and have never gone in so when a friend visiting from out of town said she wanted a cheeseburger so we decided to be adventurous. (plus she said the tiny burgers would make her tiny hands look normal sized. haha!)
Parking was easy. The air has a slight haze that can only come from decades of steamed meat and an under-​performing vent system. There’s no system to speak of, just sit down and try to make eye-​contact with the lady at the grill when you’re ready to order. Burgers come up fast and hot. Fries are good, the gluey cheese they put on top is not; skip it, it’s not worth the upcharge.
Definitely a spot for locals. Food is cheap, service is laid back but friendly. An option if you’re in the area but I wouldn’t seek it out. When we left I said «Well now I can said I’ve been once.»