Zippy’s Ala Moana

Gosh darn it.
WHY is it always the places I hit close? Yes, I now know this has been closed for a couple years now, but this doesn’t change the fact that it’s another nail in the coffin for places I’ve always wanted to return to when in the area.
Zippy’s introduced me to new cuisine such as plate lunch and loco-​moco, but surprisingly, their spaghetti with meat sauce was a go-​to, along with their awesome garlic bread. I don’t eat chili, but I hear Zippy’s version is something that one cannot live without, that is, if they eat chili in the first place.
From what I remember, some-​or maybe all?-had a bakery adjacent, and this didn’t help if one was trying to eat somewhat ‘healthy’. Then again, I was on vacation so this made the visit (s) all the more sweeter. And expensive. And necessary…
I can say this was my main location since it was fairly close to where I would be staying while over here, but there are plenty of other spots to choose from. Seems as though the reviews vary depending on which one you went to, but I’m hoping the menu is consistent. From what I remember, this trip to find another Zippy’s will be worth the effort.

Sad to see it closing :(
Great location when you are busy shopping at the mall… And they always have Cornbread… Ask for it grilled, you won’t regret it!
Hungry now…

When you live in the mainland like I do and travel to Hawaii for vacation, Zippy’s equates to the usual McDonald’s, but only ten times better.
Whenever we’re in Honolulu, we like to go to budget-​friendly Zippy’s. Not that we watch our spending closely when we’re on vacation, but we also don’t need to have every meal at a fancy restaurant either. That’s when the convenience of Zippy’s comes in handy.
I have yet to come across something bad on their menu. My go-​to dish is the mini Korean chicken that comes with a scoop of mac salad and a scoop of steamed white rice. I don’t know what they put in their chicken, but I crave it every time I think of Zippy’s.
Our last visit to Hawaii was last month for five days and we managed to go to Zippy’s three times (mainly for breakfast before we continued on with our fun filled busy days). Fortunately, we have the luxury of purchasing the Zippy’s brand chili in the frozen foods section at Marukai here in San Diego. Guess what we ate as soon as we came home from our trip? Yup, Zippy’s chili (that we bought prior to our trip), rice and Vienna sausage since we didn’t make a grocery trip after getting home the night before.
We’re heading back to Honolulu to get married in August and you better believe we’ll be hittin’ up Zippy’s at least a half dozen more times during our next stay in Hawaii.
Now if only we can get a Zippy’s to open up in San Diego, that would be a dream come true!

Not a fan of this Zippys which has made mistakes on orders way to many times for me to return here again! They not only have made mistakes but some of the staff will argue against fixing their mistakes to the point one gets exhausted and gives up! There for I myself will not be returning to this location!!!

From a October 2012 Visit.
WE JUST NEEDED! WE HAD TO HAVE SOME ZIPPYS chili.
Saying that it is only located on Oahu. yes A MUST!!!
It is as DELICIOUS as I remember from my childhood. Located right in the Ala Moana Shopping Centre. Great amount of booth seating. Quick Service, and the
ALOHA SPIRIT, most important.. . if your looking for that then this just may be the place to check it out. come on!!! just try it.
if not the Chili then im sure there is something on there menu your heart will desire.

Cheap and yummy. Portions are small, but luckily it’s cheap so you can order as much as you want! LOL Oh and check-​in so you can use the Unilocal deal ;)

In all the years I have been going down to Hawaii and Oahu I had never experienced Zippy’s. On my last trip I was determined to try it out. The menu is overwhelmingly diverse, not to mention a separate counter for sushi/​sashimi/​poke items. I ordered the Korean Fried Chicken and my sister ordered the regular fried chicken. It was lunch time on a weekday and they were very busy, my sister’s chicken was ready very quickly, but I stood by the counter for about 10 – 15 minutes before mine was served. The Korean Fried Chicken was so-​so, reminded me of Panda Express Orange Chicken with a bit more kick to it. It also came with to scoops of rice and a scoop of mac salad. The rice was decent and the mac salad was pretty good. I’d give them 3-​stars on my lunch. My sister’s fried chicken, on the other hand, was terribly overcooked, dry, and stringy 1-​star food. So averages out to a 2-​star place. Others have told me that this location is not a good example of Zippy’s food, so I might try a different location next time to see, and will need to try their chili which is supposed to be very good. But, I definitely will not need to go the the Ala Moana location again.

I love eating at Zippy’s whenever I’m in Honolulu. I wish they would open one in California. I usually order their chili and rice, but this time I ordered their Zip Pac and a large Orange Bang. The Zip Pac has almost everything… chicken, fish, teriyaki beef, spam on white rice sprinkled with furikake and a slice of takuwan.
This place is located inside Sears near their auto section. The booths and tables are pretty clean for a fast food restaurant.

The Ala Moana location is very convenient, yet the quality of their food has been going downhill. I’m usually at the shopping center everyweekend. We choose to eat there because every other place is crowded, while they have available tables open for sitting. Recently everything I have ordered hasn’t been tasteful. They used to have the best mac salad… not anymore. Prices keep going up, yet quality is going down.
One thing I know… the chicken and chili plate never fails. Add cheddar cheese to it and you’ll never want to order anything else. Wash it down with a orange bang… their version of an orange julius. I think i’m heading to zippys after writing this review… lol

I love Zippy’s in general for all the greasy, not good for you, but it tastes good favorites. Well, this visit, I discovered that they have fresh HOT malasadas AND andagi. I came here on more than a few mornings for my andagi and malasadas fix. And no long lines like at leonards. Coffee was your standard cup of yuck, overburnt black. But I needed something strong to balance out the sugar high from the treats.

I love Zippy’s! Today I am writing about my recent experience at the Zippy’s at the Ala Moana Mall. This is a tale of excitement, disaster, and ends with a happy ending!
I was turned on the Chili Omelet a while back and every once in a while when I want to treat myself I will go to Zippy’s before work and pick up one. Hence the excitement. Now if you have tried the Chili Omelet go right now and get one. You may be thinking Chili and Eggs! Gross! Well this is what I thought when I first tried it but then I was hooked. So, back to my story. I went to Zippy’s, ordered the Chili Omelet with White Onions. Then I waited my 7 minutes until it is finished.
Disaster. My number was called and the girl confirmed what I had ordered, «Chili Omelet with White Onions». I thanked her and went on my way. When I got to work and opened the lid… WTH a veggie omelet? OOOOOOHHHH NO!
Of course I called Zippy’s and the manager offered to refund my purchase without even batting an eye. All I wanted was to go back to get my real order but hey free breakfast. I’ll take it! I thought this was a great level of customer service so I thought I would share!

ALA MOANA MALL LOCATION REVIEW.
Wasn’t too impressed. I knew there was a Zippy’s in the mall and wanted to official try them out. On the Mainland, we can only get Zippy’s chili in frozen plastic bags from the local Japanese market. Finally tried Zippy’s fast food. I love their Chili and Rice! This location was a bit run down and dark and hidden away from the actual mall and the food court. Make sure you ask someone where Zippy’s is if you can’t find it (I did!).
The food was good, but the low star review was for the location. It looked like a McDonald’s in Long Beach or something. Pretty sad. The employees looked tired and like they just wanted to go home and not be there.
Did I mention I love Zippy’s Chili? They have a pretty abundant menu selection. We were able to even order up some garlic fries. I passed other Zippy’s location around the Island and should of stopped in at the other places. Hawaiian style fast food cheap eats!

***ALA MOANA CENTER LOCATION***
One big clap and a huge shout out to the morning Shift Leader, Luz who was so nice to take our order at 6:15am when their location opens at 6:30am!!!
Yes, YES! My family is one of the July 4^th Ala Moana Fireworks Diehard Fanatics that will set up early to camp overnight just to watch 20 – 25 minute of fireworks display. This year was not any different. We got there 30 minutes AFTER the other diehards picked prime spots :(BUT we still got a choice spot by the beach to watch our kids play in the water.
However, by 6:00a.m, I looked at my sister who is another food lover and she asked «Should we order breakfast from McDonald’s?» And my brother-​in-​law shared that the Ala Moana McDonald’s moved to the other side of the mall (boo). So, I suggested Zippy’s because of their cheap breakfast bentos that are under $ 5 and we had 9 of our group while we waited for our other family members who refuses to be fanatical like us.
As we all agreed «Bentos? Yes? Bentos? Yes? Okay. it’s a go-I’ll call ahead»
Er…I have their number on my cell phone and requested to place a takeout order.
Zippy’s Staff: «We open at 6:30 but it’s 6“15″
Me: Ohhh, is it okay if I place my order now and then I“ll be there at 6:30 to pick up because I’m right across at the beach park.»
Zippy’s Staff: Ahhh, you’re one of the campers! Okay, I’ll take your order and have it ready at 6:30″ (SCORE!!!)
Now, this is why this location gets FIVE STARS!!! If I could paint it across the sky or fly a small airplane, I would because this is awesome customer service! She was very pleasant and inquired if I wanted any drinks to go with the 9 breakfast bentos.
I thanked her profusely over the phone and thanked her again for taking our order before they even opened because she didn’t have to. She could have easily shared «I’m sorry – we’re not open until 6:30». But, she chose NOT to do that! I love it!
Another thought that came to mind is that this location must make a lot of sales on barrels of rice, chili, and chicken during the fourth of July because there are many of us who are just too sun-​tired out to cook rice or bbq chicken.
Thank you, Luz!!! You rock!

Korean Fried Chicken and Chili (no beans) with rice. Not a fan of their mac salad. But Zippy’s is always a safe bet.

I LOVE ZIPPY’S!~
You can’t go wrong with the zip pac, or the surf pac, but I prefer the zip pack because their furikake, spam, teriyaki beef, fried chicken and fish, just taste so good in my mouth. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
Also, top that all off with a large lilikoi drink and you are in zippy heaven!
That is the best lunch I had during my recent stay in the 808!

I’m not really familiar with Hawaiian local or fast food, but I was told I should try this place by my friend (who grew up on the island) and since Zippy’s are everywhere on Oahu, my friend and I decided to stop by this one while shopping at the Ala Moana Shopping Center. I do warn you that finding it is difficult because it’s located in the corner of Sears. We had to ask several sales people for directions as we wandered around Sears.
MINI LOCO MOCO: I wanted to try a loco moco before I left the island, but wasn’t too hungry so I got the mini version here. It’s a hamburger patty covered in gravy and topped with an egg– all served with rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. I got my egg over easy and the first few bites were good, but the meal ended up getting too rich for me. Towards the end, I was getting grossed out and wished I had some steamed veggies or something healthy that came along with the meal. :/​
Although I wasn’t too big of a fan of the loco moco, I’d still go back to Zippy’s to try something else on the menu.

Open 24 hours.
Everyone kept saying we had to try Zippy’s so we tried the one at Ala Moana Center.
The whole parking garage felt greasy.
Inside, there was different eateries and we hit up the Zippy’s counter. They’re supposedly famous for their fried chicken and chili. Both, of which, I tried. You could have the chili alone or they dump it on anything, pretty much.
The menu is extensive in that respect.
The food was okay. I don’t think I would’ve regretted not going but I’m glad I did just to see what’s up with this Hawaii favorite. But! if anyone tells me that they’re going to Hawaii, Zippy’s isn’t on my musts list.
It’s open 24 hours and it’s located throughout, you’re bound to hit it but I’m not praising it to be anything more than that.
No refills on sodas.
No taking squeeze bottles or anything to your table, you gotta load up at the condiment station.
I’d come back to try other things. mostly because they’re open 24 hours.

I’ve been a customer of Zippy’s for many years and even worked there. Zippy’s food used to be fresher and more home cooked taste back in the day with reasonable pricing.
Today, everything is pre-​manufactured foods. How much food is actually cooked fresh daily on site? I bet very little. You think the chili is fresh? Hell no! Go to your local supermarket and you can buy it in the same plastic bags they deliver it to the restaurants in. Tastes the same.
Zippy’s is an innovation-​less company that serves average premanufactured and reheated foods for above affordable pricing.
I saw a spat on the news where Zippy’s said it lowered prices to help out Hawaii during these down economic times. Check out their prices today. Looks pretty high to me.
I challenge them to do better. Much better. How about really fresh food? How about different specials? How about more value in portion sizing? How about one menu item per day which is super cheap daily loss leader item special? Can you do this for me? Can you do this for Hawaii? Can you do this for Zippy’s?
I challenge Zippy’s to innovate.

I don’t know what the deal for all the low ratings is, other than that yes, it’s fully weird that it’s at the bottom of a Sears, tucked away in some god-​forsakenly hard place to locate. I came because I was told a trip here would help complete my stay. All I have to say is that Zippy’s would kick any Bay Area L&L’s butt any day… just name the time and the place! The menu is a little overwhelming, but I like that there are that many choices. I only wish there was one in Cali so I could try them all :)…
I had the Zip Pac which consisted of a fried fish filet, chicken thigh, slice of spam, and teribeef over rice. The coating on the fish and chicken was SOOOO crisp and both were perfectly cooked, especially the chicken. Mmm, so tender. It wasn’t soaked in oil in the least, like some people mentioned… but if ya think about it, you’re eating FRIED FOOD. You’re bound to have a little grease! Anywhoo, I also got one scoop of mac salad and a large lilikoi all for like ten bucks. There was so much food that even though I wanted to finish it, I just physically couldn’t. :Sigh: Yet another thing that makes me want to hop on a plane right away and return to paradise.

The Hawaiian Denny’s.
No trip to Hawaii would be complete without a trip to Zippy’s. My Zip Pac, which has a little bit of everything. Fried fish, fried chicken, beef teriyaki, and a piece of spam. How can you go wrong? You got all the food groups covered!
Tips: Good value and local favorite.