<PAGE>   1
 
   
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3
    
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
   
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement number 333-06729 on Form S-4 of Zapata Corporation of our
report dated March 6, 1996, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of
Houlihan's Restaurant Group, Inc. for the year ended December 25, 1995 and to
the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, which is a part of this Registration Statement.
    
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
Kansas City, Missouri
   
August 13, 1996