On June 20, 2015, NJ.com (
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"N.J.'s best burger: The state's most photogenic diner is slider heaven
By Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
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on June 20, 2015 at 10:00 AM, updated June 20, 2015 at 10:06 AM
The Manna.
One word suffices, even if there is a White Mana -- yes, one "n'' - in Jersey City.
Both diner legends, one on Tonnelle Avenue (Route 1) in the state's second largest city, the other on River Street in Hackensack.
New Jersey is the diner capital of the world, with about 600 diners, and the White Manna is The Diner State's most photogenic, a red-trimmed, glass-blocked jewel almost built to kid-size -- you could practically swing your elbows out and hit either side.
Stand in line, and cook Louis Remache -- seems like he's been here forever -- will ask what you want when it's your turn. Nothing is written down; his mind has a built-in burger app.
There is a love/hate relationship with the Manna -- as many people will rave about the place as dismiss the sliders as White Castle knockoffs.
"My dad used to come here as a kid,'' said Dale Saferstein, who made a trip from New York City with high school buddies Sam Hyers and Noah Berrie just to eat at the Manna the other day.
Ronnie Cohen has been the co-owner for nearly 20 years. I talked to him the other day, shortly after he landed at the airport from a trip to Israel.
Biggest single order he can remember: 500 burgers, for a bar mitzvah. The White Manna one-person burger record: 32 in one sitting. Held by a guy named Tiny who is anything but.
Tiny eats 18 double burgers two, three times a week, "with a pot of coffee,'' according to Cohen.
The White Manna is a landmark, burger shrine and the state's cutest diner. You'll never guess what's across the street.
A McDonald's."