Big News in the Jersey Burger World! Hackensack’s historic White Manna is going for it and made the decision to relocate one of New Jersey’s most iconic burger joints, lifting it up and moving up the road.
The new White Manna will preserve the restaurant’s iconic 1946 Art Deco diner by physically relocating the original building and incorporating it into a much larger one-story addition designed to improve the customer experience. The expanded restaurant will feature a larger commercial kitchen, a dedicated takeout service area, an ADA-accessible dining room, accessible restrooms, office space, and additional seating while maintaining the historic character that has made White Manna a New Jersey landmark. The new site will also provide 17 off-street parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, bicycle parking, landscaped grounds, stormwater improvements, a new bus shelter area, and the restoration of the famous neon White Manna sign—allowing the beloved burger institution to serve more customers while preserving its historic identity.
On June 10, 2026, the Hackensack Planning Board unanimously approved plans to relocate and expand the iconic White Manna restaurant to a new site at 112–120 Hackensack Avenue. The application was presented on behalf of Esther Realty LLC, with project architect and design professionals outlining plans to carefully preserve the original 1946 Art Deco diner while incorporating it into a larger, modern facility. The proposal emphasized maintaining White Manna’s historic character while improving accessibility, expanding the kitchen and dining areas, increasing parking, and enhancing traffic circulation.
Following the approval, White Manna owner Ronny Cohen said the move was necessary because “We need a larger space.” He reassured longtime customers that despite the expansion, the restaurant’s identity would remain unchanged, promising “the same service and experience that White Manna is known for, but better.” The approved project allows one of New Jersey’s most beloved hamburger landmarks to preserve its legacy while preparing for its next generation of customers.
Renderings
Based on the plans, the architectural package was prepared by Orestes Valella, AIA, PC, with Esther Realty listed as the developer. The plans include the site layout, floor plans, and landscaping that formed the basis for the presentation to the Hackensack Planning Board.
The renderings and plans tell the story of a project that is focused on preservation rather than replacement. Rather than demolishing White Manna, the iconic 1946 stainless-steel diner remains the centerpiece of the new development, with a carefully designed 1,600-square-foot addition constructed behind it. From the street, the historic diner, its familiar curved profile, and the restored neon White Manna sign remain the visual focus, while the larger kitchen, dining room, restrooms, and service areas are tucked discreetly behind the original structure. The site is redesigned to function as a modern restaurant, with 17 off-street parking spaces, accessible entrances and ramps, EV charging stations, bicycle parking, landscaped buffers, new sidewalks, a relocated bus stop, and improved traffic circulation, all while allowing the original diner to retain its identity.
Perhaps the most significant message conveyed by the renderings is that the project is an adaptive reuse of a beloved landmark rather than a complete redevelopment. The historic diner remains the “front door” of White Manna, while the larger building behind it quietly provides the space needed for modern operations. The overall design demonstrates an effort to balance historic preservation with practical improvements, ensuring that customers will still recognize the famous White Manna from Hackensack Avenue while benefiting from expanded seating, improved accessibility, safer vehicle circulation, and amenities that the original site could never accommodate.
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The Burgers WILL NOT CHANGE
Just letting you know it’s not happening for over a year, so you have plenty of time to hit the current location. And the Burgers, and the smell, will still penetrate your clothing, and your stomach!
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