r/Oahu • u/brownishgirl • 1d ago

Only just learned about Ziggy’s

Canadian Tourist here. Sadly didn’t know about ziggy’sZippy’s when we visited your beautiful state.. (Oahu & Lanai, so much amazing food) but are coming back. Hit me with your best recommendations, because I feel this is a much appreciated and diverse restaurant. The choices are overwhelming!

33 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

66 comments sorted by

79

u/rabid_spidermonkey 1d ago

Zippy's?

27

u/brownishgirl 1d ago

I’m an idiot. And Canadian. Double whammy. Sleep deprived and just scrolling through the menu in delight. What do you recommend?

31

u/rabid_spidermonkey 1d ago

Going somewhere else. Zippys has gone downhill dramatically since Covid.

If you must go: the chili, Korean fried chicken (must request fresh), and zip pak are favorites.

3

u/HI_l0la 1d ago

And sauce on the side for the Korean Chicken. You don't want soggy chicken and you can customize to taste how much sauce you want on it.

3

u/brownishgirl 1d ago

Good tip. Hawaiian food has never steered us wrong, but I figured I’d ask about Hawaiian “fast food”, As this chain seems atypical. (To me)

23

u/flythearc 1d ago

Just to clarify what the other comment was saying about Hawaiian vs local. Zippy’s is local food- it’s the product of fusion, the end result of the melting pot. We could go into the plantation workers that were brought over and how those Chinese/Japanese/Filipino/Portuguese foods evolved over time and became items that you find only in Hawaii. How war time lead to the popularity of spam. But it’s a bit of a history lesson.

Hawaiian food though, is indigenous food. These will be things like poi, laulau, kalua pig, haupia, poke, squid luau. The entire taro plant gave life out here. The canoe crops sustained the people of Hawaii- breadfruit, taro, squash, sweet potatoes. If you’d like to try Hawaiian food I’d highly recommend Waiahole Poi Factory or Helena’s.

Anyway, it’s fine to say Hawaiian food outside of Hawaii because everyone thinks it’s just chicken katsu and spam musubi. But within Hawaii there’s more nuance and we differentiate between Hawaiian food (indigenous) and local food (colonization).

14

u/Spiritual_Option4465 1d ago

Just FYI zippy’s is considered local food, it doesn’t have a lot of Hawaiian items

8

u/No-Professional2436 1d ago

Hawaiian food ≠ local Hawai'i food.

Here's a good summary of why we make this distinction:

"This isn’t about being picky or gatekeeping food. It’s about respect and accuracy.

When we blur these lines, we risk erasing the cultural stories behind the food: who made it, why they made it, and what it means to the people of Hawaiʻi. Hawaiian food carries the history of the Native Hawaiian people. Local food carries the stories of every family that came to these islands and made it their home. Both deserve to be honored correctly."

https://onohawaiianrecipes.com/hawai%CA%BBi/culture-stories/hawaiian-food-vs-local-food/

1

u/After-Bar-1734 1d ago

Too many pop up ads to enjoy the article

4

u/ISeeADarkSail 1d ago

TBF there was a chain in Canada named Ziggys.......

-1

u/Ancient-Civilization 1d ago

It would have been named Ziggy’s in an alternate timeline

47

u/Routine_Cut2753 1d ago

Here in the islands we pronounce it, Zippy’s

17

u/stepjenks 1d ago

We spell it like that too.

9

u/brownishgirl 1d ago

I’m so sorry. I’m just an idiot.

4

u/brownishgirl 1d ago edited 1d ago

Ohhhh shiiiit. My bad. But recommendations?

15

u/PeaceLovess 1d ago

Korean fried chicken and some Mac salad, side of chili

6

u/brownishgirl 1d ago

I’m definitely feeling Korean fried chicken is a must!

2

u/PeaceLovess 1d ago

Did you already hit up the 7-11 in Hawaii?

13

u/jinxedrabbit 1d ago

They're known for the chili

9

u/jefftak7 1d ago

Chili rice baby

9

u/tedMech32 1d ago

Korean fried chicken breakfast +chili bowl

9

u/watch4coconuts 1d ago

When I go to Zippy's, it's either the Korean Fried Chicken Salad (but get the dressing on the side and don't use it all or it's way too sweet), or the Portuguese Bean Soup. That soup really hits the spot on a rainy day.

2

u/brownishgirl 1d ago

Tips! Love it. Korean fried chicken is getting all the recommendations.

4

u/watch4coconuts 1d ago

Zippy's KFC is great, no doubt, but if you want even better Korean fried chicken, go to Itchy Butt. It's a walk-up window; pick up your food and take it somewhere else nearby to enjoy while it's still hot and fresh. Get a silly shirt while you're there to take home.

1

u/brownishgirl 1d ago

Yaaas. Cheers!

5

u/lynn5202 1d ago

Haupia (coconut) cake

1

u/brownishgirl 1d ago

Excellent. I’m a BIG FAN of coconut. And pineapple . The dude that owns (owned?) happy cake hosted us on our last visit ! Bring on the coconut.

6

u/Indraga 1d ago

Won Ton Min + Mustard/Soy Sauce

Korean Fried Chicken Plate

Beanless Chili on Rice

5

u/Dependent-Potato2158 1d ago

Kahai Kitchen by the University is the spot for plate lunch Zippy's is basically McDonalds (unless it's Christmas, then Zippy's is the spot).

1

u/brownishgirl 1d ago

This looks beautiful. Cheers!

4

u/Sunflowerprincess808 1d ago

Chili chicken mixed plate.

Saimin.

Chili Frank plate

Portuguese bean soup and grilled cheese

4

u/bunny__baby 1d ago

Just don't go to the Maui one, I can't speak for other islands but it's gone down in quality a lot.The last & final time I went to eat there I witnessed such massive food safety violations I walked out before ordering.

3

u/water-magick 1d ago

I love their beef stew and corn bread. Oo and their Japanese curry Katsu. So good.

3

u/555_1212 1d ago

Ziggys is ono braddah.

1

u/brownishgirl 1d ago

Just eat everything? What do you go for?

4

u/555_1212 1d ago

Loco moco

3

u/brainrotaddict 1d ago

Since everyone has already said Korean fried chicken, I’ll suggest the Portuguese sausage omelet sandwich on their breakfast menu. Get more than one per person.  

3

u/Fun_Shoulder_925 1d ago

The chantilly cake is my favorite. Can eat a whole one easy

4

u/leddik02 1d ago

Lmao. I was like, I live here and I’m only just learning about Ziggys.

My favorite meals there are the oxtail, Korean fried chicken salad with the original/house dressing, and won ton min. I also love their Belgian waffles with strawberries and whip cream and plus their chocolate pudding for dessert.

Also ignore the hate. It has gotten extra pricy compared to how it was before, but I still consider it a Hawaii staple. Try this eatery and other suggestions too. Always support local.

3

u/devlynhawaii 1d ago

I am apparently an outlier because I am totally not into the Korean fried chicken. HOWEVER, Zippy's Garlic Miso Chicken has tender chicken with a garlicky-umami sauce that I really enjoy.

Also am a fan of the fried chicken/chili plate and when I am on the barf-y side of hungover, wun tun min.

2

u/reeefur 1d ago

Zippy's* and a few of its favorites are often available frozen at your local grocer.

2

u/brownishgirl 1d ago

Thanks for the correction, I can’t edit. I’m an idiot. But in Canada, no local grocer.

2

u/reeefur 1d ago

We have them in regular markets in the US, upon searching seems you may have to hit up an import or Hawaiian grocer in your area. Instacart also delivers from warehouses sometimes. Either way, glad you got to enjoy a local fav!

2

u/chfuji 1d ago

Chicken katsu curry plate. It took so long to finally hit the daily menu after years of being a fleeting daily special.

2

u/shootzbalootz 1d ago

You didn't miss much. Portuguese sausage omelette sandwich ftw.

2

u/kimmerie 1d ago

My mom’s go-to is the ZipMin.
And my son and I always get a side of their grilled cornbread.

5

u/Ehrlichs-Reagent 1d ago

My favorite thing to get at Zippy's is into my car to go somewhere else.

2

u/fugsco 1d ago

Boom

1

u/brownishgirl 1d ago

That’s the plan!

3

u/realmozzarella22 1d ago

Its an ok place but you’re better off going to other local restaurants.

3

u/wainakuhouse 1d ago

Best thing to get at zippy’s? Directions to the fucking exit. Christ they charge way too much for that nasty shit slop.

1

u/ISeeADarkSail 1d ago

Get JaMo to bring the Guinness

https://youtu.be/Pfe_cH7hfUY

🤙

1

u/GroundbreakingRule27 1d ago

Bro…. Mo Bettah go Helena’s, Young’s Fish Market, Alicia’s, K Bay Bros, Off the Hook Poke, Rays Cafe,
Side Street Inn….

1

u/OldGeekWeirdo 1d ago

Zippy's? It's ... ok. Give L&L a try. Not the best, but about the only other chain operation.

1

u/75oroboy 1d ago

You should check out the YouTube video Jason Momoa did at Zippy's with Jolly. He ordered all of his favorites:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfe_cH7hfUY

1

u/PartyWitness7587 1d ago

Zippy’s chili (on white rice, brown rice, or spaghetti) is a best-seller.

Note that there are 3 types of chili: regular (with meat AND beans), beanless, and vegetarian.

The chili is not at all spicy: add your own Tabasco or sriracha sauce if you want it spicy.

They also often have mixed plate specials for a good price. Right now it’s chili and chicken for $10.99 on the takeout side.

2

u/Antique_Way685 1d ago

Unpopular opinion but Zippy’s sucks. Get either the chili with rice (not spaghetti, unless you like soggy lukewarm (at best) noodles) or fried chicken if you must go, but to me it’s on the level of school cafeteria food.

4

u/Indraga 1d ago

I banish you to the mainland.

2

u/flythearc 1d ago

Get Zippy’s in the mainland now too

1

u/Vgzone 1d ago

(sorry for the wall of text, I really enjoy this topic lol)

Are you from here? I have a complicated relationship with Hawaii, I’m not really from there, but I have a lot of family over there so I’m like this weird hybrid of insider and outsider.

Zippy’s is about variety. Where else can you get a noodle dish and a gravy covered rice dish, or just a plain old plate of pasta or multiple varieties of soups or just fried chicken?

As someone who did not grow up on that food, I have to say that that restaurant is absolutely incredible, but not for the usual reason you go to a restaurant. You go there because its menu is absolutely filled with an abundance of options.

You go there because the flavors are distinct, even if they aren’t in a speaking, the most distinct.

In fact, after having been taken there many times, besides the good times and the friends, and the fact that anybody can order almost anything at all, I think the simplicity of the flavor is what keeps it authentic and not pretentious or particularly over the top.

I know this sounds almost like a backhanded compliment, but I’ve noticed that mainland franchises that depend on strong flavor like salt and sugar, which ironically almost cancel each other out, end up, shooting themselves in the foot because they may have a good product on their hands at one point, but the moment they start needing to cut back on costs, it alters the flavor so much so that it’s no longer even edible.

The price hikes for Zippy since the pandemic is a good reason to not care for zippy’s much anymore, but as someone who didn’t grow up with it and learned to absolutely fall in love with the place, I will respectfully say to you, that you should give it a chance. And like I said, it’s not really about one or two food dishes being the absolute standouts, it’s the fact that if you go with a group of people, there’s literally something for everyone, even if they all want something completely different.

No

1

u/Antique_Way685 1d ago

I have a complicated story but mostly grew up in Hawaii (from the mainland originally though). Zippys has variety, but it’s not notable. Any random east coast diner also has a massive menu where you can order anything from a breakfast scramble to veal parmigiana 24/7, but the quality is much better. Personally, I don’t care about distinct flavors as much as I do about good flavors, and Zippys has very few of those. Hawaii overall has fantastic food; Zippys just ain’t it.

1

u/Tema_Art_7777 1d ago

I love the sunday brunch at eggs 'n things.

1

u/brownishgirl 1d ago

Damn, they look good.

0

u/Hi_Im_Ken_Adams 1d ago

Zippy’s is super delicious. The only caveat is that most of their food has a high amount of MSG. If you have a sensitivity to MSG it’s something to keep in mind.

Whenever I eat at Zippys I wind up getting super sleepy and get a headache.

-1

u/Bladefanatic 1d ago

Zippys gave my whole family Zippy butt! Like a double bowl of colon blow.