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White Manna

4 star rating
based on 79 reviews

Category: Burgers  [Edit]

358 River St
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 342-0914
Price Range:
$
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Private Lot
Attire:
Casual
Good for Groups:
No
Good for Kids:
Yes
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
No
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good for:
Lunch, Dinner
Alcohol:
None

79 reviews for White Manna

Review Highlights   

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"Awesome sliders infused with onions on an Potato Roll." (in 30 reviews)
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"Flip once, a slice of cheese and then a potato roll on top." (in 4 reviews)
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"Amazing handmade patties loaded with sauteed onions and cheese." (in 43 reviews)
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Photo of Liz E.

Elite '09

37

396

Liz E.

Flushing, NY

4 star rating
10/9/2009

I've heard too much about this place not to try it, so I finally picked up and went with my boyfriend, an alumni of Manna's sliders.

I couldn't believe how tiny the place was - it looked like it was plucked from the New York Pavilion at the Queens Museum. In short - claustrophobics beware.

One can't resist the sardine-tin feel of the place. There are a few stools, about a few square feet to stand, and a single grill that turns out some of the best burgers I've ever tasted.

The burger woman was tough 'n gruff, but I kind of liked it - her attitude gave the teeny white...castle, its charm. And oh, she was fast.

My boyfriend and I ordered eight sliders with plenty of onions, cheese, pickles and ketchup, as well as two orders of fries. It's amazing how these were doled out:

1) Take out the meat. Pat. Stick on grill.
2)Press down on meat to form patty. Have squishy potato buns at the ready.
3) Take a whole onion', shredded, and place on burger. Keep pressing and flipping to achieve caramelization.
4) Have cheese slices out.
5) Do fantastical dance in which burgers are simultaneously flipped into their buns and embalmed in individual pieces of parchment paper and loaded into your to-go bag. An amazing feat that is so fast it's hard to recall the exact steps.

And there you have it - moist hockey pucks smothered in their own stickies and juices...onions drooping out of every corner, becoming one with the ooey gooey american cheese...and perfectly fitting into my mouth as I devour it in about four bites and lick my fingers of every tasty smattering of grease...

And the fries were good too.

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Photo of Daniel C.

Elite '09

32

134

Daniel C.

Ventnor City, NJ

5 star rating
8/13/2009

How good can roadside hamburgers be?  THIS good!

White Manna is the place that 5 star reviews are meant for.  They are THE best in their class.

I took my nephew here after a Yankee game and we were both rendered silent. No conversation...just the noises of two men scoffing down delicious cheeseburgers from a greasy-spoon roadside burger stand.

The meat is lightly salted and served with (or without) steamed onions and cheese.  The meat-to-bun ratio is perfect.  The bun is also steamed over the onions to make a perfect slider.  The guy working the grill is a burger machine...pumping them out at am impressive & efficient rate.

Comparing these little pieces of heaven to White Castle....or that "Other" place in Jersey City is akin to blasphemy.  White Manna is a true New Jersey Landmark.  It deserves a place of honor in the tradition of Roadside Americana.

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Photo of Jeffrey C.

 

0

3

Jeffrey C.

Paramus, NJ

2 star rating
9/25/2009

Coulnd't find anything special about this place at all.

Typical beef patty that has generic taste at best in potato bun that you can get it from local supermarket.

Sure they are priced right but that doesn't make food taste good.

So far In N Out and Shake Shack burgers are still top on my burger list and won't be replaced anytime soon I guess.

Disappointed.

Photo of Pat C.

 

0

16

Pat C.

Hackensack, NJ

5 star rating
11/4/2009

Calling NJ Sliders...Calling NJ sliders....It's a '187' on an undercova' manna burga'! Awesome sliders infused with onions on an Potato Roll.  See the cook scoop up the slider meat with an ice cream looking scoop & douse it on the grill mixed with an maui inspired onion. White Manna was probably a White Castle inspired entity from yesteryear, & they seemed to have up'ed the castle one.  NJ is known for White Castle ripoffs like White Diamond, White Rose, White Mana, & the White Manna, but this Hackensack version definitely does it right!  Forget about the Mcdonald's across the street when you can hit up the 'manna in the 'sack!   I have never tried the Jersey City location, though.

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Photo of Jared C.

Elite '09

18

184

Jared C.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
8/16/2009 2 photos

White Manna is a very popular place, and you are likely to see this no matter what time you visit the tiny little diner as people cram inside the door to place their orders. The interior is focused entirely (laughably so) on the grill in the middle where everyone watches their meat sizzle. The long road to getting your well done sliders ($1.10 or $1.30 w/ cheese) is on full display, organized on the grill by the cook who seems to retain a steady focus throughout. Try to get his attention and break his concentration and he will deflect your questions to the others. A fun game!

As stated, the sliders come well done, and as far as I know there is no other option. I think they cook them too long, but maybe that is a good idea. The pickles they serve with the burgers are best added to give the little things some life. After simmering on the grill for that long, the bun, cheese, onions, and meat all seem to become one by the time you receive them.

The experience here is great though, and with such cheap prices there is an obvious formula to the popularity that spans many decades.

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Photo of Victor C.

 

6

42

Victor C.

San Diego, CA

2 star rating
9/8/2009

Is it Yelp-hype or the hole-in-the-wall burger joint you were always waiting for?

With the ridiculous number of yelp reviews, you'd expect this to be God's gift to the world wrapped in a potato bun.  Growing up with both an In-and-Out Double-Double in one hand and a White Castle slider in the other, White Manna falls well short of the modern classics.

Pros:
- Cheap ($1-$2/slider)
- Filling (mhmm...potato bread)
- Home towny, Diner-esque feel
- Easily located with decent parking

Cons:
- Long wait, even on good days (10 to 15+ minutes/order)
- Tasteless (meat is often overcooked and underseasoned)
- Haphazard ordering (first-loud-jerk, first-served)
- Cramped

Note: The typical ordering system goes like this:
1. Walk in, remember everyone who seems to be waiting for food.
2. Wait until everyone who was there when you walked in puts in their order.  Remember everyone who walks in after you, and make sure you get your order in before them.
3. When the employee at the grill looks at you, you order.  If you order 2 cheeseburgers with onions, and 4 hamburgers without onions, your order should sound like this: "4 hamburgers no onion, 2 cheese with onion"
4. Wait.  Maybe get fries or a drink from the guys standing around (not at the grill) or go to the McDonalds across the street.
5. Take food and eat somewhere.
6. Go to one of the guys standing around and ask to pay, reciting your total order.
Additional Note:  You can also order by phone, which is highly recommended.

Even if I somehow missed the "good days" when the burgers are cooked right, the wait and ordering system alone is ridiculous.  Workers are standing around and there's only one person at the grill, backed up by 8 orders.  When people on yelp suggest ordering here and then ordering fries or food from the McDonald's across the street while you wait, you know something can't be right.  

What we have here is a case of yelp-goggles, desperately looking for that greasy, heart-clogging, indie-burger alternative.  Well, keep on looking.

Photo of Nate B.

 

2

17

Nate B.

New Haven, CT

2 star rating
11/1/2009

Why in holy heck is this place so popular.  I bravely drove through the backwoods of New Jersey on a drive down the east coast and was disappointed to get glorified White Castle burgers.  Absolutely nothing special about these tasteless sliders.  Would not recommend.

Photo of Michelle L.

Elite '09

47

116

Michelle L.

Brooklyn, NY

5 star rating
7/22/2009

I just heard that White Diamond burgers in Linden, NJ closed and for a fleeting moment I thought it was White Manna. It was in that brief, panicked moment that I knew I needed to head straight to Yelp and sing the praises of this - the home of the slider.

White Manna, with your tiny wrap-around counter, your unrelenting crowds, your perfect, melty, oniony sliders. I could eat infinity sliders and never have enough.
And I have witnessed men come in and order 16, 32...outrageous amounts. But do not be surprised.
For they are indeed Manna from heaven.
These burger bites of delight.
I would wait in line behind a little-league team's worth of children with no sense of personal space, just to get a taste.  
Sing it to the high heavens - WHITE MANNA.
Hopefully here to stay.
I may have left NJ, but this little burger joint lives on in my heart.

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Photo of Josh G.

 

1

4

Josh G.

Jersey City, NJ

5 star rating
8/19/2009

There isn't much more I can say about this place, other than it's just GREAT!!!

*The price is great.
*The burger (a.k.a. Sliders) is fresh.
*They use potato bread which makes the burger taste even better.
*The sliced garlic pickles (on the burger or on the side)...awesome!

I normally get 4-5 Sliders, which usually hits the spot for me.  I always get the cheeseburgers with onions, pickles, ketchup, and mustard!!!  The ketchup and mustard may sound a little gross for some, but it's actually a great combination.  I'm not the only one that does it either, a lot of White Manna die hard fans also do the same thing.

Don't forget to get the fries.  They come out quick and fresh.  You could be waiting for your SLIDERS for about 10 minutes (the place is always packed), so the fries are a great way to hold yourself over...while still making room for the burgers.

Anyway, this is a classic burger joint.  The tight space and the smell of onions when you leave makes this a memorable experience.

- Josh

Photo of Marc F.

 

0

44

Marc F.

River Edge, NJ

5 star rating
7/27/2009

There is a reason its always featured on both Travel and Food channels - its got some of the tastiest sliders around! Definitely worth a trip sometimes when you have a craving and free time - just like traveling to Philly just for a cheese steak! The wait can be unbelievable, but if you go at the right times (not lunch) you are in for a delight. The only problem i sometimes figure is that when you order onions on your burger, the grease tends to absorb and stick into them allowing for a potentially embarassing moment at a friends house later on. That is why i feel its always fun to get 2 onion, 3 plain and fries for a very satisfying dinner all under $10. In my opinion, stay away from the double burgers. Every bite into them tends to feel like too much meat, not enough bread and cheese. Its about the right amounts, and the tiny singles are absolutely perfect as it is.

Breakfast is also fantastic, and a milkshake goes well with everything.

Photo of e i.

 

0

3

e i.

Fort Lee, NJ

1 star rating
9/29/2009

you get what you pay for here.

the quality: about $1 a burger, theyre still making a killing. why? theyre using cheap meat and make you feel really full with the potato bun fillers. for about $5 you can go to the supermarket and make yourself the same exact thing. about 20 times.

the atmosphere: the place is TINY. smaller than most peoples livingrooms. theres no ventilation, so be prepared to permeate of greasy cheap burgers for the rest of the day if you're in here for more than 5 min. the seats the counter everything. is very worn down and not clean. id pay $5 NOT to eat here.

the service: i havent been here since the FIRST time i went which was about 2-3 years ago. but what the guy said in the pervious post about the rude order taker is pretty much what i remember. why you order from 2 different people is beyond me. have one person take all the orders and have the other person actually DO something. perhaps that will make the line move faster.

the parking: the parking lot is actually pretty big compared to the amount of people this place can actually hold/serve. a smart move on their part. its a hassle to get into the area and even more of a hasssle to get out. its located right at a T-intersection of a street where turns are nearly impossible.

overall:  try it once if you must. not that great. id rather eat off the dollar menu at mcdonalds. its a MUCH better experience. and i will definitely be going back to mcdonalds.

Photo of Sebastian R.

 

1

1

Sebastian R.

Bogota, NJ

1 star rating
9/29/2009

Totally over-rated. Bad soggy burgers. Over-hyped.

Photo of James-Michael G.

 

1

9

James-Michael G.

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ

5 star rating
8/3/2009

Few words inspire people to move, and even fewer words inspire people to move quickly, yet every time myself and many others I know hear the question:

"Manna?"

We move fast.

White Manna is few old time slider burger joints still operating, especially in North Jersey.  Please do not be confused, a burger from the Manna cannot be compared to a White Castle nor any of its permutations, nor even a home-made slider, because food isn't just about the taste and White Manna is tremendously about the experience.

True, go on a busy day and you may not get inside the tiny, maximum say 25 person total restaurant for an hour, but once you're inside you can see the power of these little sliders.  Businessmen rubbing elbows with carpenters, bricklayers and CEO's, children getting their first or 20th White Manna, it doesn't matter, everyone is there for one thing, to enjoy the burgers in their small little slice of heaven, and the scent of cooked onions and cheeseburgers stays with you for awhile.

So I recommend, go! Have yourself a Manna burger and know what it is to heed the call when someone suggests.. "Manna?"

I'll meet you there.

Photo of Ricky D.

 

0

13

Ricky D.

Bergenfield, NJ

4 star rating
6/15/2009

White Manna is a tiny little burger place where I don't think I've seen anyone order anything besides burgers, even though they have some other things on the menu.  I've been here about a dozen times and it never disappoints. These sliders, are greasy, messy, and extremely tasty.  

I've never found a time when there's no wait, so be prepared to wait about 20 minutes.  Maybe there's no wait at off hours during the week but I'm always there at night or on weekends.  Even when the line is overflowing outside, it moves quickly enough and is worth the wait.  I usually get 4 cheeseburgers, with onions and pickles, fries and a soda, and that costs about $8 give or take.

Unless you absolutely can't stand onions, you have to get them with onions - they make the sliders.

Don't go with a big group of people because you'll never get seats together - the whole place seats about 20 people.

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Photo of John H.

 

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7

John H.

Glen Rock, NJ

5 star rating
4/2/2009

I did not go there until last year. But now that I have I am glad.
Yummy burgers and fries.
Small cute facility. Yes it can get packed quickly but it empties out as quickly.
Order at least 4 of whatever.
Watch the whole procedure.
THis is not diet food. But it tastes good.

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Photo of Kathy L.

 

0

19

Kathy L.

Palisades Park, NJ

2 star rating
4/13/2009

Every time I pass by this place, the parking lot is packed and lines out the door.  However, we were driving by one day and alas, a free parking spot just calling for us. So we decided to pull in to see what all this buzz is about.

Big mistake. We ended up waiting half an hour when the line wasn't even out the door. They were little sliders, about a buck each. Not bad but I don't understand why people would wait so long for this! This is something I can definitely make myself.

Save your time and have a barbeque at home.

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Photo of Brian Harvey Y.

 

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12

Brian Harvey Y.

Hudson, NJ

4 star rating
8/26/2009

Meat, onions, cheese, grill. Simple yet...

Photo of Paul S.

 

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12

Paul S.

Fitchburg, MA

4 star rating
8/12/2009

Amazing sliders! I was impressed to see that all the burgers wre cooked to order and hand shaped with a heap of white onion stuffed into the top of each burger. Greasy, oniony, salty and delicious. Just say no to Bobby Flay and drive the extra mile to get some of the finest mini-burgers around. If this were really what manna is than I wouldn't mind being trapped in the desert for 40 years.

Photo of Jessica K.

Elite '09

8

65

Jessica K.

Arlington, VA

3 star rating
3/30/2009

After driving by this place for nearly 20 years, I finally got the chance to try a White Manna burger.  It wasn't as good as I was expecting.  Not that it was bad by any means , but it just wasn't great.  I tried the cheeseburger with onions.  The onions had a great flavor and there was more than enough cheese on the burger.  I though the burger itself was kind of dry and a bit bland, and there was a lot of extra bun on the burger (not a huge deal).  The french fries were good, I think they would have been better if we didn't do take out.  Even then, they still had a nice crunch to them and weren't soggy at all.

I hate to say it, but I prefer White Castle burgers to these.

Photo of Alex C.

Elite '09

17

133

Alex C.

Paramus, NJ

2 star rating
3/25/2009

I get this place is a legend and all, but I just don't get it.  It's just OK and the grease factor is so intense it makes me feel kinda queasy.  

I had to wait a LONG time to get my burger.  And then I (stupidly) tried to eat my doulble cheeseburger in the car on the way home from jury duty in Hackensack and had to handwash the oil out of my dress shirt.  I guess if all you have is a grease truck slider craving White Manna would hit the spot but me, I'd rather go for a real burger.

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Elite '09

4

159

Pasquale R.

Clifton, NJ

3 star rating
3/2/2009

I have heard the hype and must say it was just plain ok. I agree with some of the other yelpers when they said you will smell like the place for days. Not that it's a bad smell but nonetheless it sticks with you.
I had a couple of the cheeseburgers and I must say they could be a little more flavorful. It took a long time to get my order and it wasn't even that busy. 25 minutes to get my two burgers, 25 seconds to eat them...ha. It's an average burger. Go for the nostalgia...only once. Tons of better places in Jersey..

Photo of Chloe B.

 

7

29

Chloe B.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
2/4/2009

I once watched a lady lose her shit in here because she thought the burgers weren't sanitary enough. Whatever, lady...the burgers at White Manna are perfection, and the "germs" add to the glory.

When I was in high school my friends and I used to try to get here and back to school in under 40 minutes when we had free periods. Now I live in Boston and every time I travel home to North Jersey I make sure to visit this magical location of my youth. There is really nothing better than four sliders with onions and cheese, a side of fries, and a Dr. Pepper.

Going to White Manna means that you're going to smell like it for the rest of the day and that you're going to have to probably wait in line and not have a place to sit right away... but seriously! There is nothing on this entire earth that compares. I know; I've searched.

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0

8

Jeremy X.

Maywood, NJ

5 star rating
5/31/2009

I don't like sliders. I prefer a big 8oz burger. That stated, I can say with absolute conviction, that these tiny little sliders are the best burger on earth. The best burger I or you, or anyone else has ever eaten. Period!

I'm convinced it's the proportions. Steam grill about a table spoon of burger meat on a bed of onions then toss on American cheese and a bun. the steam melts the cheese and it infuses with the bun and burger. Add a pickle and a shot of ketchup and you get a burger so infallible it's as if it was crafted by the hand of god specifically to make you drop to your knees and weep at the prospect of something so beautiful that it can truly be called perfect.

White Manna is what church should feel like.

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26

Christopher R.

North Brunswick, NJ

4 star rating
7/24/2009

Finally decided to go wait at the little burger shack in Hackensack on 7/11/09.  The line always backs up to the outside but it was nice weather to gut out 50 min for a $10 greasy bag.  $1-3 burgers are awesome for a budget.  One lady worker asks your order and slips clumps of beef on the grill.  Later the onions come to keep the greasy meat company as it sizzles in the front of hungry eyed patrons.  You can't really eat inside but when you unwrap the oily bag at home you realize it is was worth it.  White Manna is like the gourmet White Castle bc it's 100% beef!  If you can't wait, Five Guys down the road is just as yummy and will also clog those arteries.

Photo of taryn t.

 

2

7

taryn t.

Bayonne, NJ

5 star rating
6/9/2009

oh man!
five stars just for how bad your stomach feels after eating 10 tasty burgers.
more authentic and even better than white castle

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18

161

Kate C.

New York, NY

5 star rating
10/6/2008

This is the grand-daddy of White Castle.

A tin can sh*t shack, this place is not for anyone looking for a menu, hygienic values, or something that qualifies for Weight Watchers.

This is honest-to-God, low down, greasy, heart-attack forming, ridiculously tasty goodness in the form of wee hamburgers.

Featured on a myriad of "Things to Do in New Jersey" sort of maps and programs to the oh-so-elusive "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" - this place is legit bad-for-you perfection.

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Elite '09

24

290

Brian L.

Gloucester City, NJ

5 star rating
12/28/2008

Delicious...though I felt bad eating them.

Stopped here during lunch break because I heard a lot about these burgers and I had to try em.  I stepped into the restaurant and it was packed.  There seemed to be no line and everyone was sitting or standing around.  The grill was right smack in the center.  The lady grilling the burgers was just going around and asking how many.  I stood there awkwardly trying to figure out who I was behind and who's next.  I finally ordered 4 burgers.

They were ready in less than 5 minutes.  I brought them to the van and ate.  The paper wraps used to cover the burgers were saturated in grease.  The burgers were delicious.

I rarely eat fast food nowadays and I definitely consider this fast food.  I'm going to rate this high because for fast food, this is pretty damn tasty and much tastier than White Castle burgers.

Be warned though, if you don't eat fast food often and you're going to try this just to try it....you will feel bad....or at least I did...

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94

61

Lisa N.

Santa Monica, CA

3 star rating
10/20/2008

Although these little burgers are amazingly tasty... I can't justify giving this place more than three stars... Here's why ~

* Calories, fat, sodium, cholesterol, grease, grease, and more grease

* The order taking process is unorganized and hap hazard : yelling out your order to the cook who is focusing on frying up 20+ burgers at once.

* There is no comfortable seating: the place seats about 15 people along bar-like tables.  I wouldn't want to sit inside anyway, because of the over powering smell of grease and onions, as well as the immense crowd of people breathing down your neck ~ but, a few picnic tables outside would be nice.  

* The simple fact that eating this burger is a hazard to your health - warrants less than a five star rating.

But, I can tell you this ~ if you find yourself in Hackensack, New Jersey... you should give this place a go.  The burgers are tasty morsels and the old school charm is worth checking out.

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Elite '09

5

77

Jan v.

New York, NY

3 star rating
8/8/2008

The good thing is that these burgers are very tasty.

The bad thing is you will crap your brains out the next morning.

You decide.

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6

64

Olivia A.

Union City, NJ

2 star rating
1/6/2009

"This animal is of no use to me. It only has 1 ass."
You can only get that hobo freshness from being on the side of the 1 and 9 highway.  This location is too fruity and fancy for me...*pinkys up*

But seriously, this place has great tiny burgers for the bum in you.  For best flavor show up LAAAATE night with a can of PBR for the perfect Dirty Jersey combo.  I still prefer the Jersey City location though.

Photo of Justin L.

Elite '09

9

217

Justin L.

New York, NY

3 star rating
6/1/2009

A friend took me here because he owed me a favor.  The burgers are pretty good, nice amount of grease, and the onions are very tasty.  The wait wasn't too bad, and its very interesting to see the different array of people who go here (everybody from businessmen to older men to young kids).  Not something I would go all the way to Hackensack for, but if you're in the area then its definitely worth it.

Photo of Jill M.

 

100

497

Jill M.

New York, NY

3 star rating
3/2/2009

the term 'slider' has never really done much for me. it reminds me of white castle, and the first and only time i had white castle, my little butt got so sick i could never return. not even for the tempting fried clam strips.

so when i came to white manna with a friend for sliders i couldn't bring myself to order anything until i saw what those burgers looked like, and smelled what they smelled like...greasy, oniony, beefy, melty cheesy goodness.

i ordered two double cheeseburgers with onions, they're small burgers. the onions caramelize and cook in the grease while the beef patty is cooking, after which two slices of cheese are placed on top to melt.  i got them with ketchup and extra pickles, and this fresh juicy burger is hugged by a soft potato roll.

they're so greasy and unhealthy but they're really good. it's not often i feel fatter as i leave a diner, i mean, like i feel myself getting fatter with each bite, you know? white manna did that to me. i felt like i was gonna die after i ate them. but if they were my last meal on earth, i'd die happy.

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0

6

Mike D.

Queens, NY

1 star rating
8/27/2009

My wife and I were eager to experience the White Manna "legend" after so many lofty testimonials. So instead of embarking from Queens to Six Flags the short way thru Staten Island, we gladly trudged over the GW to Hackensack first.
The horror...
Unaware of the "Ordering Rules" that I've just read about, my wife committed the cardinal sin of asking the cook if the iced-tea was sweetened or not. After a derisive glare she grunted what seemed like an affirmation (it wasn't. Iced or sweetened actually).  We gleefully took our hot bag to the car, excited like little kids.
What we got did not in any way resemble any burger we've ever encountered; a soupy mess of bun, meat and onion barely held together by the paper it came wrapped in. The first bite liquefied in my mouth but not in that good old White Castle way. My gag reflex protested and up it came. My wife followed suit and all six sliders were given to a pair of grateful chaps by the water. It wasn't uncooked or anything, it was just a liquid mess that renders gross an understatement.  We were fully expecting White Manna to stand alongside Massapequa's iconic All-American as a Northeast Burger Champ but it was beyond terrible. AND we didn't get down to Six Flags until after 5pm, still burping the nastiness despite only having barely a bite. In no shape for rides any longer we spent our time in the arcade.
Stunningly awful.

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91

Kevin R.

Staten Island, NY

4 star rating
11/6/2008

I never had a reason to venture to Hackensack until White Manna. As have people stated this is like the grandfather to White Castle; delicious slider burgers covered in onions (if you choose).

White Manna is a very small restaurant located along the Hackensack River. There is enough parking considering how many seats are located inside (not many).

Before your eyes balls of ground beef are thrown onto a grill, flatted by a spatula, and topped with onions. When they turn brown, cheese is placed on top and so is the small bun to soak up all the juices before the patty is placed inside and onto your plate.

Fries are available as well, they come in the crinkle-cut type - and if you like a little tub of cheese for dipping if you order "Cheese Fries".

The ordering process is bare bones. Sit, the grill-man will take your burger order, another person takes the fries/soda order, and you pay before you leave. The burgers take a bit of time to make it onto your plate, but the fries come out quickly so you'd have something to chow on until your sliders arrive.

If you like burgers, especially sliders and you find yourself in Northern Jersey looking for a greasy, meaty, dive - there is no reason to avoid White Manna.

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13

22

NYC Food Guy -.

New York, NY

5 star rating
11/18/2008 3 photos

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Sliders at White Manna
358 River Street at Passaic St. Hackensack, NJ 07601 - (201) 342-0914 Mon.-Sat. 8:30AM - 9PM, Sun. 10AM - 6PM

Other than a miserable experience at White Castle one winter night, my slider experience prior to White Manna was non existent.  Now I'm wondering if any slider will ever top the hand held globs of deliciousness I found in Hackensack.  So delicious were they, for the first time in my life, I didn't put ketchup on my burger.

It's a simple set up at this classic diner: A U-shaped bar surrounds a single flat top grill where all the meatball-shaped patties are flattened and topped with a pile of thinly sliced onion.  Once they've cooked and the onions have caramelized, they're flipped and then topped with American cheese.  Then they top those with the inverted bottom half of a mini potato bun followed by the bun's top half.  Burgers are removed from the grill with the nifty flip of the wrist and placed on a paper plate next to some dill pickle chips.  Watch this movie and you'll understand. (link: http://www.youtube.com...)

A tiny single burger ($1.10, $1.30 with cheese) gets a single slice of American cheese while the two-meatball double burger ($1.80, $2.05 with cheese) gets two slices of American.  You should get at least two doubles to do White Manna justice. Standard crinkle cut fries ($1.95, $2.95 with cheese) looked tasty but take away from much needed burger space.  Make sure not to wear anything inside that you don't want smelling like burgers; White Manna's a small place, which is a good thing because it points the focus where it should be: creating the best sliders NYC Food Guy has ever had.

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27

Maricel B.

Jersey City, NJ

3 star rating
3/2/2009

I was in the area on a Saturday evening so my friends and I checked it out. It was packed like a sardines can. Took us over 40 minutes to order our food then another 20 minutes or so to get our food.  The sliders were good and very messy but it wasn't worth the hour wait. There is a White Castle way down the street if you need to get your fix on asap. Also, you have to order the burgers first from the burger chef, then someone else will take your order for fries, and drinks.

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12

Hulu Y.

Little Ferry, NJ

3 star rating
11/23/2008

This place is on my way to work. During our morning trips, my husband gets his fuel from a gas station next to White Manna. This little place was always packed and we were wondering who eats there!!!!

My co-worker Frank decided that every Wednesday would be his junk day and one Wednesday he asked if I'd be interested in going to White-Manna. We each got two burgers and fries. I liked it. Messy but very tasty!

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Brian T.

Santa Monica, CA

5 star rating
4/3/2008

Nothing says loving like eating like an autistic cat, having potato bun fill your insides and cry the whole way home asking yourself why did I eat five more.

This place is a gem. there apparently were more around in the 50's and 60's and the last time I checked there was still one lingering around Jersey City. Over the years, I have visited this delicious shack of meat and grease, and seen how it has changed. On my last visit I don't think it was as good as it was in the late 80's and 90's , but it was still damn good.

This is how it goes:

1.Drive by and make a u-turn.
2. Sit at a counter with a handful of seats.
3. order 4 cheeseburgers, with onions.
4. MUST ADD PICKLES!!!!
5 Eat 3 of the four and see how you feel and then order two more.
6. Whilst the 2 more are being cooked, you eat the fourth slider and feel your insides start to burst.
7. Cry why you eat the other 2. go home and sleep

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8

Scott K.

Little Ferry, NJ

5 star rating
3/2/2009

I love White Manna.  They have cheeseburgers and fries.  My favorite.  They don't have mac &  cheese and cheese steaks though.  Their milkshakes are good too.

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136

179

Jay F.

Woodland Hills, CA

5 star rating
4/5/2008

This place is not more than 400 square feet and seats no more than maybe twelve people, but there was a line out the door about 25 people deep, and with good reason.  For any of you that have been to and are fans of White Castle sliders, I have got news for you!  White Manna is far and above better.  
They have these little balls of ground meat which they squish in to a patty on the grill, they add thinly sliced onions, let them cook and then turn them over a give it a slice of cheese and both buns.  Then the let them steam there until done.  The slider comes with ketchup and pickles but you can add tomato and lettuce if you want, but don't, no one else does either.  
Great little burgers.
I would wait in line again and again.

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