Zippy’s Celebrates 45 Years

On Oct. 17, 1966, Zippy’s Restaurant first opened on Oahu at its McCully location at 1725 S. King St. Since then, the eatery — known as Hawaii’s favorite neighborhood restaurant — has since expanded to 24 locations on Oahu and one in Kahului, Maui.

To commemorate its anniversary, Zippy’s is offering one of its signature plates, the Chili Frank, at a special price.

“Through the month of October, you can get a Chili Frank plate for only $6.45 at the fast food counter ($7.45 at the dine-in restaurant),” says Jay Crisologo, creative specialist for Zippy’s marketing. “It includes a hearty Miller’s frank, Zippy’s original chili recipe, rice and macaroni salad. This special offer is available until Oct. 31 at all Zippy’s locations except Kahului and cannot be combined with any other promotional offers, coupons or discount cards.”

Customers not only benefit from the Chili Frank’s discounted price, but with the purchase of this plate or any other Zippy’s item, they can receive an entry blank for a chance to win Zippy’s Ultimate Tailgate Giveaway, which is ongoing through Nov. 28.

“We started it (the Ultimate Tailgate Giveaway) in late August or early September,” explains Crisologo. “Every year, we usually give away one trip for two to Las Vegas, but this year, we’re giving away three total — two extra trips — in celebration of our anniversary.”

In addition to the opportunity to win Zippy’s Ultimate Tailgate Giveaway, customers have the chance to be the weekly winner of Zippy’s Tailgate Party Pac, which is valued at more than $700.

“The Tailgate Party Pac comes with a lot. It includes a portable tent, portable chairs, a cooler, lots of Aloha Shoyu products, and food and drinks,” Crisologo says.

While this month features many promotions and specials regarding the restaurant’s anniversary and football season, Zippy’s also is partnering with baseball player Shane Victorino to raise funds for the Shane Victorino Foundation. In its collaboration with Victorino, Zippy’s is offering the “Vic Pac” ($8.48 in fast food, $9.68 in restaurant) from now through Nov. 30.

“Shane Victorino is one of the few locals from Hawaii who made it big in major league baseball,” explains Crisologo. “He has this foundation that helps under-privileged kids, and he teamed up with Zippy’s to raise funds for it. The Vic Pac is made with Shane’s favorites and includes Teriyaki Beef, Spam, Portuguese Sausage and Chicken Katsu. The Vic Pac is being sold at a promotional price and prices are higher at Zippy’s Kahului. Every time we sell a Vic Pac, 50 cents from each Vic Pac will be donated to his foundation.”

Customers can also donate to the Shane Victorino Foundation by purchasing baseball cutouts at the cash registers for $1 at all Zippy’s locations or by making donations at designated boxes.

Zippy’s Chicken Barrel ($35.25, 21 pieces) and Chili Barrel ($27.25, 7 lbs) continue to reign as the eatery’s signature items. While these items are popular year-round for potlucks, they are ordered frequently for football tailgate parties.

“What makes us unique is we have a fast food counter and we have a dine-in restaurant, so we appeal to many tastes,” Crisologo says. “One of the things people like about Zippy’s is that it’s convenient; you can call in an order and come pick it up. It’s (chili and chicken) a tried-and-true favorite in Hawaii. These items (the chicken and chili barrels) are available at the fast food counter only, and prices are slightly higher at Pearlridge, Ala Moana and Kahului Zippy’s restaurants.”

While Zippy’s is famous for its chili and chicken, the eatery is providing its customers with new dine-in restaurant menu options, such as the Korean Chicken Salad ($9.25) — a medley of fresh Nalo greens, delicious Korean fried chicken, cucumbers and tomato wedges, served with Zippy’s house dressing — and the Mandarin Orange Salad ($6.50), featuring Nalo greens topped with mandarin orange wedges, dried cranberries and toasted almonds, served with a red wine vinaigrette dressing.

“We’ve been introducing salads throughout the year and we brought these two back,” Crisologo says. “We’re trying to do this initiative to start using more local products, and Nalo greens is one of them. I personally highly recommend the Mandarin Orange Salad.”

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