White Manna facts for kids
White Manna and White Mana are the names of two famous fast food diners in New Jersey, a state in the United States. These diners are named after manna, a special food mentioned in the Bible. Both restaurants are known for their delicious burgers and have even been listed among America's best burger spots!
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The Story of White Manna Diners
The very first White Manna diner was opened by a person named Louis Bridges. He bought the original diner building from the 1939 New York World's Fair, a huge event held in Queens, New York. Both the original diner and another one were built in 1939 by a company called Paramount Diners. Louis Bridges owned five diners, all called "White Manna." People say that the "Slider" burger, a small hamburger, was invented right here!
Where to Find White Manna Diners
There are two main White Manna diners that are very well-known. Let's explore where they are and what makes them special.
White Mana in Jersey City
The White Mana diner in Jersey City is located at 470 Tonnele Avenue. It's a really important historical building because it was the actual diner from the 1939 World's Fair! Back then, it was called the "diner of the future" and was seen as an early example of fast food. The current owner, Mario Costa Jr., says the reason for the different spelling ("Mana" instead of "Manna") was just a mistake when the sign was fixed. This diner is super popular for its hamburgers, selling about 3,000 every week!
Mario Costa Jr. worked at the diner when he was in high school and college. In 1979, he bought the diner for $80,000. Years later, in 1996, he decided to sell it for $500,000. But he soon had second thoughts when he found out the new owners wanted to replace the diner with a doughnut shop! Mario tried to cancel the sale, but the buyers didn't agree. He went to court to stop the sale, but he didn't win. Luckily, the buyers eventually agreed to sell the diner back to him, even though it cost him a bit more money. In 1997, the Jersey City Historic Preservation Committee officially named the diner a local landmark, protecting its history.
White Manna in Hackensack
The White Manna Diner in Hackensack is at 358 River Street. This diner has been in its spot since 1946 and sits right by the Hackensack River.
The Hackensack White Manna Diner has been featured on many popular TV shows! You might have seen it on the Food Network series Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and The Best Thing I Ever Ate. It also appeared on Man v. Food and Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations on the Travel Channel. It was even shown in a local food show called Dom Eats Local. Both the Hackensack White Manna and the Jersey City White Mana were part of an episode called "American Food Feud" on the Food Network's Food Feuds series, showing off their amazing burgers!
