Retro Roadmap Writeup
I often get myself in a tiz on a road trip up to Mass, not being hungry when I know I'm passing cool old places in New Jersey to check out, and then ending up ravenous in some uncharted territory in Connecticut. So yesterday I put fuel in the tank early with a perfect pit-stop at the White Rose System Diner in Roselle NJ, and mmm what a cheeseburger!
An early 1960's era Kullman diner, the White Rose is an easy detour off of the Garden State Parkway and open 24 hours- good to know for future roadtrips. The diner has 2 entrances on either corner, the door to the right has the Kullman tag over it.
I sat myself down at the counter and admired the blue formica walls and porthole door to my right. The tiny stools at the windows were an adorable short version of the ones at the counter. One of the most unusual features I noticed right away is that the grill is smack dab in the middle of the diner, where other counter seats would be!
(the grillman is actually standing in front of the grill in this photo- go figure!)
They had plenty of standard diner fare on the menu, as well as a specials board, but I was hankering for a cheeseburger and man was I happy with this one! Totally hit the spot.
I know the folks who were working there (and eating there) were looking at me a bit oddly as I tried to casually snap these photos with my camera (note the couple in the window in the top photo) but you'll be pleased that this place was added to the Retro Roadmap!
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Joe Sheehan
October 15, 2010 at 9:14 amI grew up on the burgers in this place. They uniquely exquisite, but perhaps an acquired taste.
You might want to also try The White Diamond in Clark Township (corner Raritan Road and Central Ave.) Very similar menu, just as tasty.
Thanks for reminding me about White Rose. Brings back fun memories.
Joe Sheehan
Mod Betty / RetroRoadmap.com
October 17, 2010 at 9:37 amJoe, I already acquired the taste on the first go’round! It was so nice to eat a burger that didn’t looked like a pre-formed hockey puck.
Leona
September 5, 2011 at 1:28 amThis place is a true old fashioned diner. Very good prices and good service. The food is pretty much what you expect at a diner food place
Paul Gallagher
June 8, 2012 at 3:13 amIt’s awesome that you wrote about The White Rose! I’ve been going there for 20-plus years. Actually I did my own write-up on it for a local Union County magazine, but the woman running it has put it on hiatus for awhile, but hopefully it’ll see the light of day. I got a lot of information from the owner and from Claude, the night cook, and took photos as well.
Mod Betty
June 8, 2012 at 12:51 pmPaul! Glad we could spread the word on the White Rose, wish we could get up there more often! Let us know when your article comes out and we’ll give a link to it here in the comments! Great minds think alike