Ashtyn Asay 
One of Bergen County’s oldest and most iconic restaurants is officially getting a new address. White Manna, a legendary Hackensack spot, received approval from the Hackensack Planning Board at its June 10 meeting to relocate its longtime home at 358 River Street to 112-120 Hackensack Avenue. The move will allow the beloved pint-sized diner to expand while preserving the Art Deco-style building that has served customers for generations. Read on for more about what’s next for White Manna’s iconic Hackensack location.
About White Manna
White Manna is known for its tiny counter, sizzling onion burgers served on Martin’s Potato Rolls, and nostalgic atmosphere and has become a destination for burger lovers across New Jersey and beyond. The restaurant also offers patrons a blast from the past with its prices. Hamburgers start at just $2.15, and a side of fries runs at $4.30.
Read More: New Jersey’s Oldest Businesses: 26 Spots That Are 100+ Years Old
The menu also features steak sandwiches, Impossible burgers, shakes, and chicken steaks. The eatery has been featured on television programs like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Best Thing I Ever Ate, Food Feuds, and Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. Its burgers have also been lauded in numerous publications, including Thrillist, The Daily Meal, GQ Magazine, Bloomberg, and The New York Times.
It’s long been debated whether this restaurant or White Mana, another iconic burger joint located at 470 Tonnele Avenue in Jersey City, came first. While both were founded by Louis Bridges, an early burger entrepreneur, the original Jersey City location was built in 1939 for the World’s Fair, and the Hackensack location didn’t open until 1946, not long after WWII. The two restaurants have since become separate businesses under different ownership, and White Manna has been operated by the Cohen family since the 1980s.
According to Vintage Bergen County, the White Manna building has been moved before. It was built by the Paramount Dining Cars Company in Haledon before it was brought to Hackensack by Louis Bridges in 1946. Then, in 1969, the building was moved 20 feet north, where it still is located today.
What’s Planned
Rather than construct an entirely new restaurant, site plans call for Esther Realty of Teaneck to relocate the nearly 80-year-old 276-square-foot original building to the new site. Behind it, developers will construct an approximately 1,600-square-foot addition on two adjacent plots at the corner of Temple and Hackensack that will house a larger kitchen, a dedicated takeout area, an ADA-accessible dining room, an accessible restroom, an additional restroom, and office space. A timeline for the move and expansion has not yet been announced, so don’t worry – there’s still time to enjoy a bite at White Manna’s original location.
“We are committed to providing our customers with the same experience they expect – only better!” Said a statement from White Manna. “We want to thank our wonderful customers and the mayor and city council of Hackensack for allowing us to make this move and to continue to serve the community. We will keep you updated on our progress.”
The redevelopment also includes:
- A 17-space parking lot, including one ADA-accessible space
- Electric vehicle charging stations
- Bicycle parking
- Outdoor seating
- New sidewalks, landscaping, signage, drainage improvements, + utilities
- Relocation of White Manna’s iconic neon sign
To learn more about White Manna, visit its website here.
See More: Your Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Dining in Hoboken + Jersey City
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