On Kinoole Street in downtown Hilo, Antics Pizza has turned a lifelong gamer’s nickname into one of Hawaii’s most unforgettable pizza stops. 🕹️
Opened in June 2020 by longtime skater and gamer Justin Ambagis, this hidden gem pairs wood-fired pizza with retro and modern gaming consoles at every table.
From a Naruto-themed ramen expansion to pizza names like Pac-Man’s Luau and Poke Ball, Antics has built a cult following among both foodies and gamers across the Big Island.
How Antics Pizza won Hilo’s hearts
Antics Pizza was founded by Justin Ambagis, who had used the gamer tag “Antics” for roughly 20 years before opening his first business under the same name on June 20, 2020. 🎮
As a first-time restaurant owner, Ambagis built the concept around a simple idea: pair genuinely good pizza with free, unlimited gaming at every table, from classic Nintendo and Sega consoles to newer systems like the PS4 and Nintendo Switch.
That approach immediately set Antics apart in Hilo, giving locals a hangout spot that felt more like a friend’s game room than a typical pizzeria.
Diners only need to order a full pizza to game as long as they like, with no time limits and no extra fees.
What has kept the buzz going since opening, though, is the sheer creativity baked into the menu itself. 🍕
Ambagis has said he came up with the restaurant’s eight original specialty pizzas by sitting around with friends brainstorming names and toppings, resulting in pop-culture mashups like Sonic the VegHead and Bradda Yosemite Sam.
The Pandemic Pizza, created during the restaurant’s rocky pandemic-era opening, has remained one of the shop’s top sellers ever since.
That blend of genuine gamer culture, playful pizza names, and a laid-back, no-pressure hangout vibe is exactly what turned Antics Pizza into one of Hilo’s most talked-about hidden gems. 🌟
Food Highlights
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Pandemic Pizza: House red sauce topped with pepperoni, Italian sausage, bacon bits, black olives, and red onions with green bell peppers. 🍕
- The Cheesy Karen: An olive oil base loaded with garlic, mozzarella, ricotta, and pecorino romano for a rich, four-cheese pizza built for cheese lovers. 🧀
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Bradda Yosemite Sam: House BBQ sauce topped with pulled pork, red onions, and cilantro, finished with a drizzle of ranch dressing. 🍖
- Poke Ball Pizza: House red sauce split half cheese and half pepperoni, finished with a dollop of ricotta in the center for a playful nod to its namesake. ⚪
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Pacman’s Luau: House red sauce topped with Canadian bacon, pineapple, and jalapeño. 🍍
- Mario’s House Party: House red sauce topped with fresh mozzarella and fresh basil. 🌿
- The Master Pig: House red sauce piled with salami, pepperoni, Italian sausage, breaded chicken, and bacon bits. 🥓
- Sonic the VegHead: House white sauce loaded with bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, red onions, and artichoke hearts. 🥬
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Czar Of The ZA: House white sauce topped with Italian sausage, caramelized onion, mushrooms, and blue cheese. 🍄
Atmosphere
Antics Pizza feels less like a restaurant and more like walking into a friend’s dedicated gaming room, with consoles and screens built right into the tables. 🎮
The walls are painted with video game themes, and the shop’s newer Naruto-inspired ramen expansion connects through a breezeway, letting guests order pizza and ramen side by side.
It’s a laid-back, no-rush environment where kids and adults alike can settle in for hours without ever feeling rushed out.
The whole space captures a genuine gamer culture vibe rarely found paired with a pizzeria anywhere else in Hawaii. 🕹️
Bottom Line
Antics Pizza earns its cult following through genuinely creative specialty pizzas, an owner who built the concept from real gamer culture, and free, unlimited console gaming with every pizza order.
Between the Pandemic Pizza, the Master Pig, and the Naruto-themed ramen expansion, there’s something for every craving. It’s a rare stop where the fun matches the flavor. 🍕
Address:
475 Kinoole St, Hilo, HI 96720
📞 (808) 769-4202
🕔 Open daily, 11:30 AM–9 PM