White Mana Hamburgers Jersey City NJ – Since 1946

Retro Roadhusband and I often find ourselves jaunting up to New York City for one reason or another (I mean really, who needs more of an excuse to go to NYC than the fact that it's NYC!) I'm often trying to shoehorn in some Retro Roadmap research into these rock and roll roadtrips, and thus made a slight detour to check out the White Mana hamburger diner in Jersey City, NJ.

Navigating the busy truck route that connects the entrances to the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels was worth it when we saw the cheery white and orange spaceship shaped building on the corner. Thrilled that they have a parking lot just behind, we swung in and headed inside.

One thing to clear up right away. There are TWO tiny diners in New Jersey (both built by Paramount diners) that are famous for their oniony slider burgers.

This Jersey City location (and the other one in Hackensack) are all that are left of small local chain of 5 diminutive burger joints opened by the same man, Louis Bridges. While the entire chain was called White Manna, the story goes that the sign on the Jersey City location came back from being repaired in the 1980s with one N absent from their name, and they decided to keep it that way. So:

• White MaNa - Jersey City (aka this place right here)
• White MaNNa - Hackensack (that I wrote about back in 2010)

While some folks like to compare these two and see who is "the winner" - to me they are two different restaurants altogether, both in appearance and approach to food (chopped onions vs. sliced, crinkle cut fries vs plain, you get the idea.)

The story goes that the small circular building was originally built as part of the World Of Tomorrow at the 1939 Worlds Fair just over in Flushing, NY. The structure was moved to this corner after the fair closed and opened as a burger stand in 1946.

After a scare where it was almost demolished to make way for a donut shop the locals realized how much this place meant to it  and proclaimed June 2, 1996 to be White Mana Day. In 1997 it was designated an historic landmark by the Jersey City Historic Preservation Committee.

You can still sit at one of the 13 original stools at the circular counter, or at one of the tables located in the brick addition to the back of the building.

Now here's where Mod Betty reveals a bit of a pet peeve of hers when Retro Roadmapping - what I refer to in my head as "A Good Scrub". Many of the places I visit have good bones, and good history and people still love them, but they look a little bit worse for wear. Maybe there's a bit of resting on laurels or past accolades, or just not realizing that you're the caretaker of someplace more important than just a place to get a burger or meal, that you're part of history, and there's an added responsibility with that fame.

Now I realize that there are many structural things that cost money to fix, but first impressions could be much improved by "A Good Scrub"  with a little elbow grease and cleaner. A shine brought back to the glass and metal means you're paying attention to the parts of the restaurant that people see, and inferred, are as conscientious about the parts they don't see (And owners, this means the rest rooms - especially!)  Even Retro Roadhushand often inflects from his stint in fast food "If you've got time to lean...you've got time to clean!"

Why do I bring this up?

Two reasons:  One is that the reason why the White Manna chain used the word White in their name was because it had the connotation of cleanliness and purity that many felt was lacking in quick food establishments in the early part of the 20th century (especially before FDA requirements to even have standards of cleanliness!) White Castle and White Tower are national examples of this trend.

But that said, reason number two that the White Mana could use A Good Scrub around the edges. It's not anything to deter you from going,  but I'm just letting you dear readers know that Mod B many times puts on her mod-colored glasses and looks past the grime for the charm (and I hope you do too.)

</rant>

With all the burgers that White Mana is famous for serving (3000 a week?) from their countertop grill it's not surprising that there's a scent of onions and beef in the air when you first walk in. And while there are other items on the menu, since they're famous for their sliders, they're a good place to start - they're affordably priced and it's understood that you'll order more than one.

While we made our first foray to White Mana en route TO the city, when we realized that they were open 24 hours, we realized that this would be a good Retro Roadmap worthy place to get late night food when we're heading home from The Big Apple - especially with the the large parking lot for easy in/out access.

And how cool is it to see a place like this all lit up at night, with the green neon glowing as it has for over 65 years!

Historic charm and cheap food 24 hours a day? Scrub or not, Mod Betty this is better than a holster of fries on the NJTPK any day!