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    Gumbo Ya Ya

    4.3 (99 reviews)
    InexpensiveCajun/Creole
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Gumbo Ya Ya Photos

    Business Info

    GUMBO YA YA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Half and half: Shrimp Creole (left) and lobster étouffée (right)
    Pam W.

    Oh, Gumbo Ya Ya, we are so glad to see you! We had not had the opportunity to visit in quite a while, but our recent visit to Gumbo Ya Ya reminded us of why we love this little spot. Delicious Cajun food, generous portions, quick service, and don't forget to ask for the garlic hot sauce (yum!). We will be sure to visit again and if you love Cajun food you should, too!

    Red beans and rice with side of chips
    Leslie B.

    We stopped in to try Gumbo Yaya after discovering they have gluten free options. They were displayed on the menu which is very appreciated! We ordered the 3 gf options- jambalaya, red beans, and the white chicken chili. The first meal came out with bread on top but they quickly fixed the error. Jambalaya was 3/5- was pretty dry but some salt and Crystal fixed it up! The red beans and white chili were 5 star! Grits were some Of the best we have had out. The chips were an odd side which we didn't eat. A suggestion for a better gf side option or providing GF bread would be amazing! Overall a great experience and cool Ambiance. Will definitely be back for the white chili and grits!

    Drunken chicken 10/10  The garlic bread 20/10!!!
    Olivia M.

    Food (drunken chicken) was better than expected. Delicious blend of spices & creamy sauce but not too powerful! 10/10 and I do think it's better than BB&T big fan of both Garlic bread was so buttery & SOFT, how I prefer it. Garlic hot sauce 10/10

    Drunken Chicken with white rice and bread
    John D.

    Stopped in at Gumbo Ya Ya yesterday for a quick lunch. Got my order very quick. Tried their Drunken Chicken. Their small plate is more than enough for one person, a heaping plate with the Drunken Chicken served over a bed of white rice. The spices and flavor were good. The chicken is finely shredded. There was some type of green vegetable in the mix that was tough and chewy. When I saw tomatoes in the mix, I was expecting some small diced pieces of tomatoes, but the chunks of tomatoes were quite large. I was not a fan of the green vegetable or the large tomato chunks. It was served with 2 slices of dirty bread/garlic bread. The bread was very good. For the portion you get, $13 which included tip, was not a bad deal. Next time I will try their shrimp and lobster etouffee.

    Incredible food with such deep, authentic flavors at a great value. You HAVE to try it, even if you don't like it traditionally, they keep enough flavors on hand that you will find something. Oh, and did I mention FREE SAMPLES!?

    Drunken Chicken over grits
    Josh W.

    Might be the most reliable spot in the greater Lexington area. Always delicious. The staff is friendly and always happy to give samples of anything on their menu (much of which is rotating) and will remember you if you're a regular. The atmosphere is great too, a lot of tables and they're good about keeping them clean and the music fits the vibe and is never too loud. Can't recommend them enough. Try getting your order over jambalaya or grits sometime, they're worth it.

    Angelina R.

    This place has delicious food and service was good. Food came out quickly! Limited menu but tasty food. Delicious flavors! Had the gumbo and drunkin chicken yum! Pecan cookie was a but too sugary/sweet. Whiskey bread pudding was bomb! Garlic bread was really good! Would give it 4.5 if i could

    Menu
    Anna K.

    This is a must go in Lexington - amazing Cajun food. Keep in mind - you will be stuffed and it can ruin your whole day but the experience of eating it is amazing. Also get the bread pudding. Just do it.

    Chicken Sauce Piquant and an Ale81

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    2 years ago

    The best grits in town, holy cow! Also if they ever have the Chicken Fricassee - run, don't walk. It's all SO good! Love this place!

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    2 years ago

    Great Cajun food and selection, friendly staff and convenient location in Lexington. A nice stop for lunch or dinner.

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    4 years ago

    Excellent. Very comparable to another popular local Cajun place. Not as many choices in hot sauce but flavor is on point.

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    J. Alexander's

    J. Alexander's

    3.9(350 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    We had an absolutely fantastic evening at J. Alexander's in Lexington, celebrating both a birthday…read moreand a 10th anniversary in one unforgettable night. The ambiance is the perfect blend of modern sophistication and warm, cozy comfort--you really have to see (and feel) it for yourself. The service was outstanding from start to finish. Every server we encountered was polished, deeply knowledgeable about the menu, and full of spot-on recommendations. We were especially fortunate to have Richard--a manager of the restaurant personally greet us and set the tone for the evening. From the moment we walked in, his genuine warmth and attentiveness made us feel like honored guests rather than just another table. The food was nothing short of spectacular. The Maui ribeye steak--marinated to perfection and cooked exactly as ordered--was tender, juicy, and bursting with that signature sweet-savory island flavor--was one of the best steaks any of us have ever had. Equally impressive was the ahi tuna salad: beautifully seared rare tuna slices over crisp greens, drizzled with just the right amount of citrus-soy vinaigrette, and finished with crunchy wontons and avocado. Light yet completely satisfying, it was the ideal contrast to the richness of the steak. Everything about the evening--the atmosphere, the impeccable service led by Richard, and the flawless execution of dishes like the Maui steak and ahi tuna salad--made our double celebration feel truly special. We left already planning our next visit. J. Alexander's didn't just meet expectations; it exceeded them in every possible way.

    Love the apps here. One of my favorite places for appetizers in lex area. Great variety of options…read more Service is always great here. Love having the patio option in the shade on nice weather days. They have lots of great cocktail options and the meal is always tasty.

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    Moody Mike's - Detroit hot chicken sandwich

    Moody Mike's

    4.8(31 reviews)
    7.7 mi

    Well, well, well, Lexington food scene - you've impressed me. During a short trip to Lex I did a…read moreYelp search for vegan food and Moody Mike's came up (and for good reason!). This delightful, unassuming cafe/stationary food truck offers an entirely plant based menu of comfort food, quick bites, and desserts (if you can get them before they're gone). The owners are super nice and very willing to expand on ingredients and preparation methods for the menu options. After much consideration we ordered the Chi'ken Sando (crispy chicken with lettuce, tomato, pickles), Buffalo Chi'ken Fry's (crinkle cut fries topped with buffalo and ranch, crispy chicken, and a sprinkle of cheese), and the 6 piece wings with half tarter sauce and half Caribbean jerk. I loved the complexity of the jerk sauce and my dining companion preferred the tarter sauce, so the half and half wings worked out perfectly. The fries - delicious and expertly prepared, however I learned I lean toward a less spicy/tangy sauce than buffalo, and would have preferred cheese sauce rather than shreds on top. Pricing is very reasonable for high quality, made to order, plant based cuisine, and there is shaded outdoor seating as well as tables inside the cafe. Moody Mike's - you have a new fan. See you soon.

    I came with one of my friends that enjoys vegan food. I personally have never really dabbled too…read moremuch in vegan food and it was definitely an experience. I really enjoyed the chicken wings. The buffalo flavor was really great and it was so crazy how much it looked like a chicken wing. I also ordered some Jamaican jerk eggrolls, and that was amazing. The sauce was so perfect and a little spicy. I also had to try their chili cheese fries. I ordered a half order and that was enough for me. It was very filling very hearty and delicious. The seating area is a little small on the inside where it is winter but in the spring and summer, it would be beautiful to sit outside on their benches. It looks very chic and aesthetic. I can't wait to come back in the warmer weather and the service was very quick and easy you order at the food truck and you can sit inside and wait for your food to come out. They also have a café that's open until 2 PM where you can order coffee on the inside which I thought was pretty neat. Definitely worth a visit if you enjoy vegan food.

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    Moody Mike's - Inside window seating

    Inside window seating

    Moody Mike's - Verax sandwich

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    Gumbo Ya Ya - cajun - Updated May 2026

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