Zippy's Kapahulu

Zippy's Kapahulu is the Kapahulu Avenue branch, at 601 Kapahulu Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii, of Hawaii's best-known local diner chain. Zippy's serves the comfort food that island families grew up on, combining Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese and American influences in one wide menu. The cuisine is best described as local diner fare. Signature dishes include Zippy's chili, a sweet-and-savoury bowl typically served over rice, Zip Min, a noodle soup in the style of saimin with toppings, fried chicken, and the baked goods from the Napoleon's Bakery counter, where cream puffs are a standout. Prices are low, at roughly US$8-16 per person, making it one of the cheaper sit-down meals in the Waikiki area. The dining room is bright, family-oriented and informal, with booths and tables, a moderate to high noise level at meal times and no dress code. Beverages are simple, including soft drinks, coffee and shakes; there is no notable wine programme. Reservations are not taken, and seating generally turns over quickly, so waits tend to be short outside the busiest hours. Hours are long, and some locations run 24 hours, so visitors should confirm the Kapahulu branch's schedule before visiting. The location is a short ride from Waikiki and sits near several other well-known Kapahulu food stops, so it fits easily into a food-focused day. Visitors looking for a cross-section of local eating, from breakfast plates to late-night noodles, can use Zippy's as a low-cost introduction, and the bakery items are popular as takeout gifts to bring home.