Zippy’s Brings a Bounty of Joy This Season

By now, the inviting aroma of fresh pine trees fill the air, Christmas shopping is well under way, and spirits are bright with holiday cheer. In the spirit of giving, Zippy’s Restaurants also gives to you hungry diners an elaborate selection of holiday delights to choose from. Whether you’re planning a fun-filled holiday party with family and friends, or brainstorming your feast for the new year, it’s clear that Zippy’s and its dedicated team of employees is comparable to Santa and his elves — in the culinary world, of course — putting smiles on the faces of many with its local cuisine.

Dining Out most recently paid a visit to Zippy’s Waiau, where we met with Zippy’s marketing manager Jeanine Mamiya-Kalahiki who revealed just what puts that extra sparkle in the eatery’s holiday magic!

DO: Coming off a successful Thanksgiving, what does Zippy’s Restaurants have in store for the rest of the holiday season?

Mamiya-Kalahiki: The holiday season is always a busy one because of the many parties and gatherings; but Zippy’s has great holiday specials that can be enjoyed by everyone — some of them, we’ve offered for years.

DO: Zippy’s Pupu Platters are a convenient option that can easily be referred to as the “life of the party,” correct?

Mamiya-Kalahiki: Yes, our popular pupu platters are holiday favorites. We have four pupu platters to choose from including Zippy’s Local Favorites Platter ($26.95*), Chicken Katsu ($20.95*) Korean Fried Chicken ($29.95*) and Fried Noodles ($22.95*). The Local Favorites Platter is actually our bestseller and features good portions of teriyaki beef, mahi mahi, chicken katsu, hot dog and Portuguese sausage. People have been ordering these platters for tailgate parties — all parties in general — for years.

These pupu platters are available at all Zippy’s locations at any time, however, please call at least one hour in advance to place your order. Prices are slightly higher at Zippy’s Pearlridge, Ala Moana and Kahului locations.

DO: Sounds delicious! Local comfort food at its best! And what’s a holiday party without a variety of sushi? Can Zippy’s cater to all your sushi needs as well?

Mamiya-Kalahiki: Yes, Zippy’s Restaurants has a special Holiday Sushi Platter that’s available during the entire month of December (all orders must be placed 48 hours in advance). Our sushi platter is enough to feed the whole family, presenting you with 40 pieces of maki, 12 pieces cucumber, 12 pieces takuan and 10 pieces of inari sushi. These sushi platters also are a hit for the new year, so select locations (Ala Moana, Kahala, Kaneohe, Kapolei, Makiki, Mililani, Pearlridge, Vineyard and Waiau) will be open Jan. 1 for pick-up.

DO: Speaking of the new year, does Zippy’s plan to ring in 2012 with any tasty dishes?

Mamiya-Kalahiki: Of course! We have many wonderful treats made especially for the new year that our customers love. For example, we have the sushi platter, (mentioned above), in addition to other local Japanese favorites such as Konbu Maki (six pack, $7.15) consisting of pork, carrot and gobo wrapped with konbu and kanpyo, and our Namasu. Namasu is highly requested and sold as a Zip Meal (2 pounds, $11.95) or a barrel (7 pounds, $36.95) with Japanese pickled vegetables, including cucumber, carrots and daikon. We also take away the hassle of making Nishime at home. Now, our Chicken Nishime (2 pounds, $11.95) or a barrel (7 pounds, $36.95) is great for New Year’s Day — this Japanese stew is simmered with chicken, konyaku, carrots, sataimo (taro balls), renken (lotus root), gobo, bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms, simmered in an Osaka-style broth. These items can be pre-ordered, and pick-up is scheduled for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day at select locations (Kapolei, Vineyard, Makiki, Waiau, Ala Moana, Pearlridge, Kaneohe, Kahala and Mililani).

DO: That in itself is a great start to the new year! What is the process for payment and pick-up for all of these delicious holiday items?

Mamiya-Kalahiki: Payment is required to place your order, and the last day to pre-order our New Year’s items is Dec. 26 for Oahu. You can order online by clicking on the “New Year’s Specials” link on our website zippys.com. Online ordering is available for Oahu pick-ups only.

For your convenience, you also may pre-order with a credit card by calling 973.0880 — orders will be taken from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday through Dec. 26. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted. You can pay in person at the various locations, as well, where New Year’s items will be available for pick-up (Kapolei, Vineyard, Makiki, Waiau, Ala Moana, Pearlridge, Kaneohe, Kahala and Mililani).

Pick-up dates for New Year’s items are scheduled for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. These Zippy’s locations will be open at 10 a.m. on New Year’s Day, while Ala Moana and Pearlridge locations will be open at 8 a.m. (all other locations will be closed on New Year’s Day)

DO: From Dec. 23 to 26, Zippy’s Restaurants will present to diners some amazing Christmas Dine-In Specials. Can you tell us more about this?

Mamiya-Kalahiki: Yes, we have tasty Prime Rib ($15.95* dine-in restaurant only), Misoyaki Cod ($11.95* dine-in restaurant only), Roast Turkey/Baked Ham Combo ($9.45* fast-food counter/$10.85* restaurant), Baked Ham ($7.45* fast-food counter/$8.55 restaurant) and Roast Turkey ($8.85* fast-food counter/$10.20* restaurant). These specials are available Dec. 23-26 from 10:30 a.m., while supplies last. Again, note that prices are slightly higher at Zippy’s Ala Moana, Pearlridge and Kahului.

DO: Aside from fabulous dining options, Zippy’s Restaurants is offering its holiday gift cards, correct?

Mamiya-Kalahiki: Yes, Zippy’s gift cards are great for stocking stuffers and gifts. They are convenient and good at all Zippy’s locations, and reloadable in denominations ranging from $5 to $100. And from now through Dec. 31, purchase $50 in Zippy’s gift cards and you will receive a free $5 Zippy’s gift certificate. During the holiday season, Zipopy’s will have gift card kiosks at select Zippy’s locations.

Zippy’s Restaurants