60th Anniversary Stories

Francis (black suit, left ) and brother
Charlie (black suit and sunglasses,
right) at the groundbreaking cere-
mony of the first Zippy’s locatio

Photos, memories, and moments through the years.

Zippy’s Plate Lunches: A True Taste of Hawai‘i

When people think of Zippy's, the first thing that often comes to mind is its famous chili. But if you ask any longtime customer what keeps them coming back, and you'll discover another reason Zippy's has remained a Hawai‘i institution for nearly 60 years: its incredible selection of plate lunches and local favorites! Founded in Honolulu in 1966, Zippy's built its reputation by serving hearty meals that reflect Hawai‘i’s mixed plate of cultures and flavors. Whether you're visiting a Zippy's location in Hawaii or Las Vegas, the menu offers a delicious introduction to the island-style comfort foods that generations of families have enjoyed. What Makes a Hawaiian Plate Lunch Special? The Hawaiian plate lunch is a cultural icon. Traditionally, it consists of a protein served alongside two scoops of rice and one scoop of macaroni salad. The combination reflects Hawai‘i’s multicultural influences, including Japanese, Filipino, Korean, Portuguese, and American culinary traditions. At Zippy's, plate lunches aren't just meals. They're comfort food, family tradition, and local culture served on a single plate. The Iconic Zip Pac® No discussion of Zippy's plate lunches would be complete without the award-winning Zip Pac®. Often noted as our signature menu item, the Zip Pac® combines several island favorites on one plate: Fried Chicken, Hoki (breaded white fish), SPAM®, Teriyaki Beef, and a piece of Takuan (Japanese pickled radish), all served over a bed of rice topped with Furikake (seaweed seasoning). First-time visitors wondering what to order at Zippy's, the Zip Pac® is often the top recommendation because it has a little bit of everything. A Customer Favorite: Korean Fried Chicken One of the most loved menu items at Zippy's is the Korean Fried Chicken Plate. Crispy chicken chunks drizzled with housemade sweet, salty, garlicky Korean style sauce. Served with two scoops of rice and one scoop of macaroni salad — this dish has developed a loyal following among locals and visitors. Teriyaki Beef and Local-Style Plates Teriyaki beef remains one of the most tried and true favorites on the menu. The tender beef and savory-sweet marinade make it a classic choice for anyone craving a traditional plate lunch. Other popular local-style plates include the Loco Moco, Fried Chicken Plate, Hamburger Steak, and Chili & Chicken Mixed Plate. These offerings help make Zippy's a destination for both nostalgic locals and newcomers exploring Hawai‘i’s cuisine for the first time. Zippy’s Famous Original Chili Zippy’s chili has earned legendary status in Hawaii and beyond! Served at every Zippy’s location and available frozen at select retailers — People enjoy Zippy’s chili it on its own, over rice, with hot dogs, paired with fries, or with a slice of grilled cornbread. SPAM® Musubi SPAM® musubi is a Hawai‘i staple that combines grilled SPAM® and rice wrapped with nori seaweed. Zippy's version remains one of the most popular grab-and-go items on the menu. Saimin Not ramen, saimin! Saimin is Hawai‘i’s most popular noodle soup, featuring flavorful broth and soft noodles. This island-style comfort food has long been a menu staple at Zippy's and continues to be a customer favorite. Why Locals Love Zippy's What sets Zippy’s apart is its ability to bring together Hawai‘i’s diverse culinary influences in a way that feels familiar and welcoming. From the Zip Pac® to SPAM® Musubi and Korean Fried Chicken Plate, the menu reflects the flavors that have shaped island life for decades, providing comfort food across generations. For many Hawai‘i residents who have relocated to Las Vegas, Zippy's offers a comforting reminder of home. For everyone else, it's an opportunity to experience authentic island-style comfort food without flying on a plane across the Pacific. What Should You Order First? If you're visiting Zippy's for the first time, start with these must-try favorites: · Zip Pac® · Korean Fried Chicken · Chili · Saimin · Teriyaki Beef Plate Together, these dishes represent the heart of the Zippy's menu and showcase why the restaurant has become one of Hawai‘i’s most beloved dining destinations. Zippy's plate lunches and local favorites tell the story of Hawaii's rich food culture. Whether you're enjoying a Zip Pac®, savoring a bowl of saimin, or digging into a plate of Korean Fried Chicken, every meal reflects the comfort, tradition, and aloha spirit that have made Zippy's a household name since 1966. As the brand continues to grow in Las Vegas and beyond, these beloved dishes remain at the center of what makes Zippy's a true Hawaii icon.

Sweet Traditions

When most people think of Zippy's, they picture hearty plate lunches, famous chili, and island-style comfort food. But longtime customers know there's another reason to stop by: the bakery! For decades, Zippy's Bakery has been creating island-inspired desserts, pastries, and sweet treats that have become a cherished part of Hawai‘i’s food culture. Alongside its restaurant menu, the bakery offers a delicious selection of cakes, donuts, pastries, and seasonal specialties that keep customers coming back for more. A Sweet Part of the Zippy's Experience Zippy's has built its reputation on serving food that brings people together, and its bakery is no exception. From birthday celebrations and family gatherings to everyday indulgences, bakery items have become an important part of the Zippy's tradition. Cakes for Every Celebration One of the bakery's biggest draws is its selection of cakes. No matter the celebration, customers often turn to Zippy's for fresh cakes that balance flavor, quality, and value. Popular cake offerings often feature: · Chantilly · Dobash · Haupia (Coconut) Malasadas: A Hawai‘i Favorite made Hot ‘N Fresh Malasadas are Portuguese fried donuts that have become a beloved part of Hawai‘i's food culture. Soft, fluffy, and coated in sugar, malasadas are perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack. Donuts, Pastries, and Everyday Treats Customers can visit any Zippy’s location find a variety of donuts, pies, and other sweet treats: · Long John · Flaky Donut · Custard Pie · Banana Cream Pie · Apple Napple® (Turnover) · Chantilly Cream Puff Seasonal and Holiday Favorites One thing customers love about Zippy's Bakery is its seasonal offerings. Throughout the year, specialty desserts and holiday-themed treats make appearances on bakery shelves. Limited-time items often become highly anticipated traditions, encouraging customers when the item makes its way back onto the menu. Must-Try Zippy's Bakery Items If you're visiting Zippy's and want to explore the bakery, start with these favorites: · Malasadas (Made Hot ‘N Fresh!) · Long John · Apple Napple® · Glazed Mochizada · Chantilly Cream Puff These items showcase the bakery's range and highlight why it has become a compliment to the Zippy's menu. While Zippy's may be best known for chili, plate lunches, and island-style comfort food, its bakery is a hidden gem that deserves equal attention. From cakes and malasadas to pastries and seasonal desserts, Zippy's Bakery delivers the sweetness that has helped make the brand a Hawai‘i favorite for generations.

Island-Style Comfort Food at Zippy’s

Few restaurants capture the spirit of Hawai‘i quite like Zippy's. Since opening its first location in Honolulu in 1966, Zippy's has grown from a neighborhood eatery into one of Hawai‘i's most beloved restaurant chains, serving generations of families with hearty meals, local flavors, and warm hospitality. Today, with locations throughout Hawai‘i and Las Vegas, Zippy's continues to be the go-to destination for authentic island-style comfort food. What Is Island-Style Comfort Food? Island-style comfort food is more than just a meal. It reflects Hawai‘i's unique cultural heritage, blending influences from Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, and American cuisines into dishes that are flavorful, filling, and familiar. At Zippy's, comfort food means familiar flavors and recipes that remind people of family gatherings, beach outings, and everyday life in the islands. Whether you're a lifelong local or experiencing Hawai‘i cuisine for the first time, the menu offers something that feels both satisfying and welcoming. More Than Food: A Sense of Home What truly makes Zippy's special isn't just the menu, it's the connection customers feel when they walk through the doors. For Hawai‘i residents, Zippy's is tied to tradition, familiarity, and community. For former island residents living in Las Vegas, it offers a comforting taste of home. This emotional connection has helped fuel the restaurant's successful expansion into Las Vegas, the city some may call the Ninth Island. For nearly 60 years, Zippy's has succeeded by staying true to what matters most: serving delicious, affordable comfort food that reflects Hawai‘i’s mixed plate of cultures and aloha spirit. In the constantly changing restaurant industry, Zippy's remains a beloved institution because it offers something timeless: food that brings people together. Whether you're dining in Honolulu, Hilo, Kahului, or Las Vegas, every meal delivers the same sense of comfort, tradition, and aloha that has defined the brand since 1966.

Island-Style Bakery Classic: Chantilly Cake

If there's one dessert that defines the Hawaii bakery experience, it's the Chantilly cake. And when it comes to Chantilly cake done right, Zippy's has earned its place as a local favorite. Rich, moist, and topped with that signature creamy frosting, this cake has become a go-to for birthdays, celebrations, and everyday sweet cravings across the islands. What Is Chantilly Cake? Chantilly cake is a beloved Hawaii bakery classic built around layers of light and airy chocolate chiffon cake. Unlike a dense, heavy chocolate cake, chiffon cake gets its signature fluffy texture from whipped egg whites folded into the batter, giving every bite a soft, melt-in-your-mouth quality. What truly sets Chantilly cake apart, though, is the frosting. Instead of a traditional buttercream, Chantilly cake is finished with a rich, buttery Chantilly frosting — a Hawaii bakery staple known for its sweet, creamy texture. The cake is then finished with chocolate crumbs pressed along the sides, adding a subtle crunch and extra layer of chocolate flavor to every slice. The Perfect Cake for Any Occasion Zippy's Chantilly cake isn't just a dessert — it's a Hawaii celebration staple. Whether you're picking one up for a birthday party, a graduation, an office celebration, or simply because you're craving a slice of something special, this cake fits the moment. Its moist texture and rich flavor make it just as satisfying for a quiet weeknight treat as it is for a full-blown celebration spread.

Hawaii’s Favorite Flaky Pastry: The Beloved Napple®

If you've lived in Hawaii for any length of time, chances are you've had a Napple® from Zippy's — or at least heard someone rave about one. This humble, hand-sized pastry has quietly become one of the most beloved items on the Zippy's menu, and for good reason. Whether you're a longtime local or just discovering Zippy's for the first time, here's everything you need to know about the Napple®. History of the Napple® In 1983, Zippy’s founders Francis and Charlie Higa hired Jan Tsukazaki, a Hawaii-born baker who trained in Switzerland and helped bring European-style baking to the Hawaiian islands. Tsukazaki wanted to create an alternative to custard pies and dobash cakes that were common at the time. She adapted a traditional apple turnover by swapping heavy pie crust for a light, puff pastry — thus, the Apple Napple® was born! What is a Napple®? The Napple® is a signature Zippy's pastry made from layers of buttery, flaky puff pastry, filled with your choice of sweet apple or coconut filling. (Other flavors may visit as part of monthly bakery specials!) It's baked fresh and available daily, making it a go-to grab-and-go item for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a sweet ending to a Zippy's meal. Why Locals Love the Napple® Part of what makes the Napple® so popular is its simplicity. It's not trying to be a fancy dessert — it's a comforting, familiar pastry that pairs perfectly with a cup of Zippy's coffee or as a side to any of Zippy's plate lunches. The flaky, layered texture combined with the warm fruit or coconut filling hits that nostalgic, homestyle sweet spot that keeps people coming back. It's also incredibly convenient. Since the Napple® is available daily (in Apple and Coconut), you don't have to time your visit around a limited-time menu item or seasonal offering — it's always ready when the craving strikes.

History of the Zip Pac®: Hawaii’s Most Iconic Plate Lunch

When discussing iconic island-style comfort foods, few dishes are as recognizable as the Zip Pac®. Sold at Zippy's Restaurants for decades, this hearty bento-style meal has become one of Hawaii's most beloved comfort foods and a best-selling menu item. What started as a convenient takeout meal has evolved into an icon that represents the “mixed plate” of diverse cultures of the Hawaiian Islands. What Is a Zip Pac®? The Zip Pac® is Zippy's signature bento-style plate lunch that combines several local favorites in one convenient meal. A traditional Zip Pac includes: • Fried Chicken • Hoki (Breaded white fish) • SPAM® • Teriyaki Beef • Takuan (Pickled Daikon) • Rice • Furikake (Seaweed seasoning) The combination may seem unusual to first-time visitors, but to locals it perfectly represents Hawaii’s multicultural food culture. Japanese, American, and local island influences come together in one plate. The Origins of the Zip Pac® To understand the Zip Pac®, it helps to understand Zippy's itself. Brothers Francis and Charles Higa founded Zippy's Restaurants in Honolulu in 1966. Their vision was to create a restaurant serving the variety of local foods Hawaii residents wanted but couldn't easily find at traditional fast-food restaurants. Over time, Zippy's became Hawaii's favorite diner, known for island-style comfort food, chili, plate lunches, and family dining. As Hawaii's active lifestyle grew around beaches, parks, sporting events, and outdoor gatherings, customers wanted meals that were portable and filling. The Zip Pac® answered that need by bringing together a little bit of everything in one plate. Why the Zip Pac® Became So Popular Unlike traditional plate lunches that focus on a single protein, the Zip Pac® gives customers several local favorites in one meal. Its popularity can be attributed to three key factors: 1. Variety Customers don't have to choose a single protein - the Zip Pac® offers Fried Chicken, Hoki (breaded white fish), SPAM®, and Teriyaki beef! 2. Convenience The bento-style packaging makes the meal easy to transport to wherever life takes you — the beach, work, school, sports games, fishing trips, picnics, or even on an airplane! 3. Local Flavor The ingredients in a Zip Pac® reflect Hawaii's mixed plate of cultures, blending Japanese, American, and island culinary traditions into one meal. More than 50 years after its introduction, the Zip Pac® remains Zippy's best-selling menu item. Its enduring popularity demonstrates the timeless appeal of comfort food that is both convenient and familiar. While the Zippy's menu has expanded to include more island-style favorites such as Korean Fried Chicken, Chili, and bakery items, the Zip Pac® continues to be a signature offering.