While exploring the local dining scene in Hawaii, my discovery of Zippy's, a real staple in the dining culture, was a delightful surprise. Learning about how it all began with Charles and Francis Higa in the 60s was fascinating. Right from the first location on King Street in Honolulu, they've since expanded to over 24 locations throughout the islands.
My Take on What Sets Zippy’s Apart
Zippy's, in my experience, has always been the go-to spot for comforting, local, hearty food, a combination that's hard to come by when you're after that classic, island-style diner feel. Consistently great portions, friendly service, and the option to kick back with breakfast at any time of the day always kept me coming back.
I especially enjoyed those locations with an outdoor dining area - it was the perfect way to wind down after a day of shopping or sightseeing!
Hunting For Zippy's Beyond Hawaii?
If you're a fan of Zippy's like me and long for their amazing food but aren't in Hawaii, you're in luck! With locations spread across Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai, they're also planning to open up a new spot in Las Vegas soon. So, if you can't make it out to the Hawaiian islands just yet, Las Vegas might just quench your Zippy's cravings!
My Experience With Zippy’s Rewards Program
During my time frequenting Zippy's, I took advantage of their Zipster Rewards program. It's free to join and a great way to rack up points with every dollar you spend. After collecting enough Zipcoins, I was thrilled to redeem them for some fantastic goodies - food, drinks, and desserts! The Zippy's app made it easy to order ahead, skip the line, and use my phone as my tab - all while earning points. A total win-win!
Zippy's has a wide array of popular local favourites such as Spam Loco Moco, Beef Curry, and Sweet Sour Spare Ribs. Far from just traditional Hawaiian food, however, I loved exploring their extensive international offerings, from authentic Japanese curry to succulent chicken teriyaki. And trust me, nothing beats getting takeout from Zippy's!
Exploring Zippy’s Specials
Aside from the classic Zippy's menu, their monthly specials offered great savings and fun culinary experiences. Spamtober, which features a variety of Spam dishes, was a particular highlight for me. They share these specials on their Facebook page and website, so it was super easy to plan my meals ahead of time.
Not to mention the seasonal specials, which kept things fresh and exciting! Summery noodles and comforting chili bowls in the winter kept me palatably entertained all year round.
Zippy's Contribution Towards Fundraising
What warmed my heart about Zippy's was their commitment to helping non-profit organizations. They would serve up meals at your school or organization, charge $10 per person, and the organizers would get $4.50 for each ticket sold. Truly commendable!
Diving Into a Bowl of Zippy's Chili
Zippy's well-crafted variety of Chili dishes always kept me coming back for more. They had some fantastic chili burritos with rice, beans, cheese, and either chili or chicken. And their original Zippy's chili - a plate full of ground beef, diced onions, and tomatoes, all topped with cheddar cheese, was the ultimate comfort food for me.
Handling The Heat – Zippy's Chili
Despite being packed with flavor, Zippy's Chili retains a mellow kick, making it enjoyable for people like me who appreciate just a hint of heat. From fresh veggies to an array of spices, the chili dishes results in a harmonious blend of flavors with a distinctive touch of garlic that I found really appetizing. A touch of cocoa powder gives it a unique, rich taste too. Absolutely loved it!
Getting My Burger Fix At Zippy's
While a classic hamburger is always tempting, there were numerous other sandwich choices to explore at Zippy's like Grilled cheese or Teri Beef Bun. Quirky alternatives like the Veggie Tofu Burger were really interesting too. And what better accompaniment than french fries or fried rice to satisfy my burger cravings?
The Combo Deals That Won Me Over
I found Zippy's rice and macaroni salad to be a delightful accompaniment to any sandwich or burger. Although their fried noodles were a bit spicy, they were absolutely heavenly! For those times when I couldn't decide what I wanted, their Daily Plates were a lifesaver, particularly the Surf Pac with its delectable combination of fried shrimp, Spam, rice, and eggs.
Tantalizing Vegetarian Delights
As someone who appreciates good vegetarian food, it was heartening to see Zippy's offer a variety of tasty and satiating vegetarian options. Be it a hearty chili with beans, rice, and onions or a simple, yet satisfying Tofu burger, Zippy's had something for every palate.
Satisfying My Sweet Tooth
The dessert offerings were a real treat with an array of donuts, pastries, pies, and other baked goodies. There was something for everyone, from a classic Dobash cake to a uniquely Hawaiian Haupia Cake. It was the perfect way to top off a satisfying meal!
A Home Cooking Experience With Zippy's
Bringing the Zippy's experience home was also an option, thanks to their packaged products. Their Chicken Fry Mix, Pancake Mix, and Cornbread Mix, which are available both online and at their restaurant, made for some memorable home-cooked meals!
Pros
- Extensive Menu
- Friendly Service
- Comforting Atmosphere
- Diverse Specials and Deals
- Excellent Rewards Program
- Vegetarian-Friendly
Cons
- Limited Locations Outside Hawaii
- Chili May Be Too Mild for Some
- Fried Noodles Can Be Too Spicy
- Wait Times Could Be Long During Peak Hours
- Not All Menu Items Available At All Locations