One recent afternoon, Neal Hendrick looked around Zippy’s, his restaurant that has been a Perkins Road staple since 2001. A group of motorbike riders ate together at one end of the eatery. Elsewhere, families with young children happily gathered as 80-inch televisions showed the latest sports news. At the bar, Zippy’s regulars enjoyed drinks – perhaps one of the eight flavors of frozen daiquiris, made only with the best mixes.
“Zippy’s is different because there is something for everybody. Our customer base is so diverse in every possible respect,” Hendrick said. “Yet, when they come here, everybody relaxes and has fun. I love to see that. We’re in the business of making people happy. We have several employees who have been with us for well over a decade. Some have their own kids working here now and have become customers. That’s really gratifying and I think speaks to the joy people have when it comes to Zippy’s.”
The restaurant is in what Hendrick calls the Zippy’s 2.0 era after a $1.8 million renovation. The result is expanded seating, windows that cover about 70 percent of the restaurant and can be opened during nice weather, a larger bar area, larger women’s restrooms and a welcoming outdoor environment.
“Zippy’s is like if your favorite beach bar and your favorite Irish pub had a baby,” Hendrick said. “That atmosphere where everybody feels welcome is what we are going for.”
Hendrick started thinking about changing things at Zippy’s as it neared its 20-year anniversary. Then, there was the pandemic. Zippy’s remained open, leaning into outdoor eating and delivery. Hendrick and his team discovered that customers wanted good food in a spacious environment with the flexibility to dine with as many or as few people as they wanted – whether it was high schoolers looking for an afternoon snack, 20-somethings filling up before hitting the nearby bar scene, or young children who are enthralled by watching their food being made.
The Zippy’s menu includes burritos, quesadillas, tacos, enchiladas, chimichangas, flautas, empanadas, fajitas, nachos and salads. A brunch menu will be available on weekends beginning in early 2026.
“About 90 percent of our customers find a dish they like and stick with it,” Hendrick said. “That means we have to maintain the quality and consistency of the food every time. We don’t really concentrate on adding a bunch of new things. We focus on giving you the same food just the way you remember it from the last time you came to Zippy’s.”
Zippy’s is located at 3155 Perkins Road. Visit to learn more.