White Manna

"Established in 1946, originally as a second location to the White Mana above, White Manna in Hackensack is a chrome-and-neon living fossil of a diner that makes an iconic slider. The prices aren't quite what they were during the Truman administration, but close enough: A plain hamburger still goes for less than $2. The patties here are fatter and juicier than their Jersey City cousins, and they have an abundance of soft, thinly sliced onions. Watching the cook prepare dozens of burgers on the griddle at once in a meticulous assembly line is as meditative as raking sand in a zen garden." - bryan kim, molly fitzpatrick, willa moore, will hartman

"The last time we went to White Manna, we called an Uber from a few blocks away, clutching a promisingly greasy brown paper bag filled with a couple of bonus burgers for later. The driver was silent for a moment. She took a deep sniff of the air. “White Manna? Nice.” In North Jersey, and for many slider enthusiasts around the country, White Manna needs no introduction—even the smell of its onions is iconic. A classic red-and-chrome diner with swivel stools and a letter-board menu, White Manna (not to be confused with White Mana in Jersey City, though they were originally founded by the same person) has been a Hackensack institution since 1946. The prices aren't quite what they were during the Truman administration, but close enough: A hamburger, served on a paper plate with a mini pile of pickles, still goes for less than $2. The small parking lot is often packed, but the line moves quickly, so don’t you dare contemplate the McDonald’s across the street. If you're lucky enough to find elbow room at the U-shaped counter (there's space for maybe a dozen customers), sit there, and not just to minimize the distance the burger has to travel to your mouth. Watching the cook prepare dozens of burgers on the griddle at once in a meticulous assembly line is as meditative as raking sand in a zen garden. Food Rundown photo credit: Molly Fitzpatrick Cheeseburgers Served on pillowy potato rolls that are steamed over the burgers as they cook, the sliders here are fatter and juicier than their Jersey City cousins. Our favorite part is the abundance of thin, meltingly soft sliced onions. The patties do lack a little seasoning, but that’s easily rectified with a quick flick of the salt shaker. photo credit: Molly Fitzpatrick French Fries The crispy crinkle-cut fries are a reasonable $3.50, but it’s well worth it to spend an extra dollar and upgrade them with a serving of vibrantly chemical-orange molten cheese. Milkshakes Thick and ice cream-y. Get the strawberry." - Molly Fitzpatrick