In Jersey City, White Mana Diner, built for the 1939 World's Fair, is a testament to American diner culture. Owned by Mario Costa since 1979, the diner stands out for its architecture and the personal connections Costa has cultivated over decades. His legacy includes managing a boxing gym and bar, showing his influence in the community. Known as the 'Godfather' by many, his presence resonates deeply with locals and celebrities alike, marking him as a stabilizing figure in a changing urban landscape.
The building was constructed for the 1939 World's Fair in Flushing Meadows to showcase how you could cook, serve, and plate burgers without moving your pivot foot.
Today, the slick-haired, unlit cigar-chewing old Portuguese man owns just about everything on the block... Folks from the surrounding housing projects and more than a few celebrities call him the Godfather.
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