We came in during the last hour and the food came out pretty quickly after ordering at the counter. The person at the register did a great job with descriptions of each of the items. The place has plenty of seating and tables and you sit wherever you want. The servings are very generous and I appreciate how you can try two flavors for $11 which is very affordable. We enjoyed our plates and we will definitely be back to try out other combos! read more

Yats - Black chili and drunken batter chicken - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Ugh! I was so disappointed with my recent visit to Yats on Mass Ave. I always stop in to Yats near Mardi Gras to enjoy some of my favorite dishes. The service was disappointing. The clerk didn't say "welcome" or anything that was friendly. This was the first time that I haven't been greeted or welcomed at a Yats. We wanted to order some beers but learned that their liquor license had expired, so no booze! What! How does this happen? The clerk didn't bother to tell us until after we had ordered food. I ordered the Chili Cheese Crawfish. The plate came out and the bread and sauce were fabulous, but I could only find a couple small pieces of crawfish. This was not the comforting meal that I have grown to love from Yats. Unfortunately, I can't recommend. I hope things turn around for them, because they are local and have been an Indy favorite for many years. read more

My son came home for the week so he said he wanted to get lunch and catch up with me so I let him pick... he absolutely loves this place. I hadn't been since I was maybe late 20's, around his age maybe. We ordered the drunken chicken, the full order. We sat outside to watch the world go by as we caught up with each other. The food was delicious and such a big portion. I took half home. The bread...omg I never met a bread I didn't like and this one is the best one I've ever had. It's this garlicky Cajun oil spread on it and it compliments the dish so well. Now I know why my son always gets an extra order for a dollar. Definitely worth the price and it's very satisfying. read more

Yats - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

My favorite! Healthy tasty spicy Cajun food at a great price. Located at the end of the Mass Ave strip past bottle works! They have all the classic beans rice and sausage favorites. Also a nice selection of vegan options. Not a fancy place but the food is great and won't break the bank. Try the B and B. So good! read more

Yats - B and B - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Oh Yats. Why do I always forget about you? As the weather was on the upswing and I needed to stop by my downtown office today, I decided to spend some time in the Mass Avenue area. While I contemplated having lunch at the nearby Garage Food Hall, the truth is I was in the mood for something simpler, less expensive, and a little more comforting. I'm hit-and-miss with Yats, a 14-location chain started in Indy that specializes in New Orleans style dishes. Joe (Vuskovich) started things simple and has kept them simple. The menu rotates with diverse sauces and stews all served on rice with a slice of cajun buttered baguette. You can get a fountain drink, iced tea, or beer. Pricing is simple $10 for a whole order. $7 for half. You can do half-and-half. My iced tea was an extra $2 in addition to my half order. While you may fancy a specific dish, if it's not on their chalkboard menu they don't have it for that day. It's truly rotating. I'm a pretty simple eater and there are definitely days I strike out at Yats. There is some variation between locations. I can never remember my favorite dish here, however, I know it when I see it on the menu. Today, I tried a new one - drunken chicken. It's a spicy stew of shredded chicken with rosemary, garlic, crushed red pepper, beer, and bread crumbs. It was a bit out of my comfort zone, however, I absolutely loved it. In terms of accessibility, there's a disabled parking spot almost directly in front of Yats (it's a meter). It's a little tricky and you have to be careful if you're a wheelchair user due to Mass Avenue being two-lane. However, I generally don't have a ton of difficulty. I recommend taking the concrete ramp at the end of the building for access. The interior is nicely laid out and the counter is accessible. The only area I struggled with a bit was the beverage counter - and I could not reach a straw at all. Kudos to the employees for carrying my tray to the table. Much appreciated. The vibe here is pretty retro with a variety of music of a mostly older variety and wall posters with a similar vibe. I was impressed with how much was included in the half-order. The cajun buttered baguette was also awesome. Yats is just plain consistent - great comfort food at an affordable price, friendly employees, and a comfortable atmosphere. Joe does it right. He always has and I imagine he always will. This was a great option for me today, a comfort meal in a comfortable atmosphere and it was a great reminder that I need to get back more often. read more

How not love this spot!! It's right at the end of Mass Ave, GREAT vibes, AMAZING staff, n like always the food is AMAZING!! Without a good meal for this cold weather! B&B is a must if u haven't had Yatz before read more

Yats - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Get place to stop in for a quick bite! Meals are prepared fairly quickly, and are a great value for the price! Today I had the half and half plate of drunken chicken and chorizo étouffée. This comes over rice, with a side of the bread. Both choices were great and not too spicy for me! The bread is delicious and pairs well. Overall, a great, easy spot for lunch or dinner! read more

Yats - Half drunken chicken Half chorizo etoufee - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Good restaurant with good food at a great price. I got carry out. Someone was quick to take my order and the food came out in just 5-10 minutes. The food was great! Perfect Cajun creole flavor. It was also very cheap. I didn't eat in the restaurant, but it is pretty standard inside. Lots of space to sit down and eat. Overall this is a good place to get good, cheap food. Despite the low price, they definitely to not lack on flavor!! read more

Yats - Crawfish ettofee - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Gave it one more chance, shouldn't have. Got in early, 1115 and they were already out of chili cheese. I understand how their system works but that seems a bit early. Asked the guy at the register for a recommendation and he couldn't be more disinterested. Ordered the red beans and sausage and found maybe 2 pieces of sausage. Beyond disappointing. To top it off, had to keep my hat and coat on in the restaurant because it was so cold. They've lost a long time customer read more

The service was good but the quality in food was terrible. I ordered a chili cheese etoufee with the crawfish. The dish was cold, the rice was slimy, and the crawfish was gray. I thought I'd at least feel better snacking on the bread but the topping might as well have been old grease. It's been years since I've been to Yats and now I remember why! You get what you paid for, my entree was under $10 before my 20% tip. Never again!!! I'm surprised such low quality food is available on Mass Ave. SLOP! The bathroom was also filthy but I visited out of desperation. read more

Yats - Chili Cheese Etouffee - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Always a solid option for lunch or dinner. Make sure you order extra bread, it's the best!

The food was amazing! Service was great. Parking is convenient. The Ambiance is very relaxed.

When you're in need of food that feels like a cozy embrace, turn to your nearest Yats location. She's a true Indianapolis staple. Sturdy, reliable, zesty. God bless. read more

Every single time I do a pick up order to go they get the food wrong. It's happened 3 times. Love the food. Service literally cannot be worse. It's not hard to get an order right. read more

I love Yats so, so much. I can't handle spicy food at all, but I still come here because I can't resist the amazing flavors. My go-to is always half/half of the drunken chicken and the spinach and mushroom etoufee. It comes on a bed of white rice and a side of amazingly buttered bread. Use your bread to scoop up the rice/gumbo and you'll be in heaven. The drunken chicken is definitely a little spicy, but I'd say that the spinach and mushroom etoufee is probably the least spicy option on the menu. Once you order, you'll food will be ready super quickly (like 5 minutes) and it's super convenient. I also love that they sell local Newfangled Confections treats at the cash register so that you can balance the spicy meal with a sweet treat. Enjoy! read more

Stopped here today with my husband and two toddlers for a quick easy meal and that's what we got. We also got beer from a very limited beer selection since the tap wasn't in working order. The red head host was the one who took our order and served us. I don't know what his problem was but he gave off I don't want to serve you vibes. He was very short with us and had bad energy. I won't be returning. read more

Yats - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Seemingly always smaller portions than the other location up North. I'm about 5 minutes drive away so I call ahead to place a take out order for a pint of the Chili Cheese Etouffee, only to be told they don't accept take out calls for small orders. OK, so I drive there and just as I'm about to order, the Chili Cheese Etouffee is marked as sold out. Your most popular item out of stock on a Monday at 1pm? Are you kidding? The only other option is a spicier chorizo etouffee so I ask the guy behind the counter if I could taste a tiny sample since I've never had anything else off the menu, only to be told NO, they don't give out samples to taste and haven't since last year. At this point I've had it with the place and just decide to go somewhere else. What kind of business are you running that you're out of your most popular item at peak lunch hours and then still refuse to just let a customer taste basically the only thing you have left on the menu to see if they want to purchase? Not good read more

I've been coming to Yats for over 15 years and I'm never disappointed. I like the location on Mass Ave but parking can sometimes be tricky. Definitely get the free Cajun garlic powder sauce to add to your meal! read more

Yats - Half Chili Cheese Etouffee half Maui choux - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

There's something about the absolute culture of this place that has me vying for more every time. Interior is neat and cultivates a New Orleans aesthetic. Something consistent across locations-- the workers all vibe. They're always so relaxed and kind. Bread is phenomenal. I go crazy for the Chili Cheese Crawfish and Spinach Mushroom Etoufee half and half. They give you so much food for decent pricing and it's so delish! If you've never been in and not sure what you'd like, they'll let you try samples. You can't go wrong with any option though. Pictures don't do the tastes justice! read more

Yats - Half and half Chili Cheese Etouffee and Spinach Mushroom Etouffee - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

It's not a trip to Indy until you eat Yats. Best comfort food in the world!! I get the chili cheese etoufee with extra bread every time. This is a really good place for "picky" eaters who want to branch out and try something new. The flavors are unlike anything else you've tasted! read more

Someone visiting the Hoosier state probably wouldn't expect to find a local creole-style fast casual chain with a cult-like following all around Central Indiana. And, yet, Yatz has become synonymous here with flavorful and filling dishes and mouth-watering bread all for an affordable price. If you've never tried their peanut butter pie or cookie that weighs about five pounds, pick up dessert next time! The Mass Ave location also serves up alcohol and - my personal favorite - wine slushies! The specific flavors may rotate, but there's always a white and a red option. We love having this joint in the 800 block neighborhood. Don't forget, they do great catering. Or become the MVP of your next party or potluck by bringing along $10 worth of Yatz bread. Serious yum! read more

Keep doing you Yats! I'll always support the business whenever I'm in the area. They offer fantastic food and customer service!

Visited October 26th 2024 on my girlfriend's recommendation as it was one of her favourite restaurants. Sales assistant at the counter ruined the experience for us by feeling the need to publicly interfere with our private relationship by vocally disapproving loudly for all customers to hear, just because I am older than my 20 year old girlfriend. This left her in tears as we left. Absolutely disgusting behaviour, the guy should be fired. read more

I make my own chili cheese etouffee, and of course every individual thinks they have the best recipe.... it's me, I have the best recipe . But, when I'm not in the mood to cook, but want a great dish, I come to Yats. I love a spicy dish and Yats offers some good variety of hot sauce and garlic sauces to spice up your dishes to your liking. I've had the chili cheese etouffee multiple times, it's my go to dish. I've also had their druken chicken. Now that's a dish they prepare better than I can for sure! And take this too and order extra bread. It's a wonderful garlic bread with creole seasonings. You'll eat a whole loaf! read more

Yats - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I stopped by here for dinner last night while on Mass Ave. I went early so it was very quiet inside. I always get the Chili Cheese Crawfish Etoufee which is a classic! The flavor is always great. I love the bread too. You can't beat the price and service of Yats. The staff are consistently kind and helpful. read more

Food is excellent. Service and hours are completely unpredictable. Used to be a regular for years, but the past 3 times I tried to pick up from Mass Ave location, they were closed during posted business hours... twice with staff inside just chatting. (30 min to 1.5 hours without posted hours). It's definitely frustrating and a bit of a turnoff, so always call ahead before making the drive to one. read more

Food is good and recommend the half/half serving. Ambience is kind of hipster to an extent. Service is quick usually.

My friend took me to Yats for a quick bite to eat before I boarded a flight back home. It was quiet since it was a Monday afternoon, we went right up to the cash register to place our orders before finding a seat. I ordered the Chorizo Etouffee which comes with spicy sausage and chicken. As soon as we finished paying, our food was ready for us! The Chorizo Etoufee is served over rice with garlic bread and white bread. It was very flavorful, I love spicy food! The spice level is not overwhelming, but if you don't like spice at all then I suggest you avoid this menu item. The food here would be perfect for a cold, snowy day... it is really comfort food that keeps you full. I fell asleep as soon as I boarded the plane :P The staff here were all friendly, tables were clean, lots of seating available and the food is ready super quick. I would recommend Yats if you are looking for a quick, cheap bite to eat and you're hungry and want something filling :) read more

Yats is fantastic! Their food is tasty and consistent and their service is always friendly and efficient. Prior to discovering yats, I had never tried cajun creole food but would highly recommend it to anyone looking to try something new. When you walk in, you order at a counter. All entrees are served over rice and come with some of the best bread I've ever had. Yats is a unique spot with a consistent menu of staple entrees and a few other options that tend to rotate intermittently. They also offer beer, wine, and wine slushees. You can dine in at one of their tables, their bar, or in their small outdoor seating area. Otherwise, it's a very easy meal to carry out and enjoy at home as well. Personally I love that they offer a half and half entree option as it allows you to try two menu items. They have a lot of great options and I really think you can't ever go wrong. Yats offers multiple vegetarian options (I'd highly recommend the b&b!)! Yats is hands down one of the most unique places I visit regularly and I think it's an awesome restaurant. If your considering it, give this place a try, you won't regret it! read more

Yats - B&b and Chili Cheese Etouffee - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I never had chili before and this location has a few different options of chili. The cool thing is that, they allow you the sample the chili flavors, that way you know for sure what you want. The food was made really quick and the price was super affordable. The problem that I had is that, the food was overall cold (bread, chili, and rice) and it was bland. There was not a lot of flavor from the Crawfish Chili Cheese Etouffee. The other chili's did taste pretty good, so next time I'll definitely get those instead of the chili cheese. read more

Yats - Crawfish Chili Cheese Etouffee - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Always delicious, the service is always great and you can't go wrong with any menu choice.

Live that place just tried it this week and the food was great and the cost was even better...Will be going there again. Real soon and recommend it to all my friends read more

Most of the drinks were out at the drink station and I got a drink that was flat and mainly soda water and recognized this when I was all the way back at my car & I ordered carry out and got the chili cheese with crawfish. Turns out that it only had like 1-2 bits of crawfish in the entire entree. I've been to this location and the location on 31 in Greenwood and have to say I was extremely disappointed in how my meal turned out at the one that is located on mass ave :/ read more

Love love love! Haven't been to Yat's in close to 5 years! My buddy said we should go this past week so we did!! I got the Drunken Chicken and it taste just like I remember! I also loved the bread and wish I would have got extra! I also tried the White Chicken Chili but it lacked flavor compared to the Drunken Chicken or it's quite possible that the Drunken Chicken was soo good the White Chicken Chili couldn't compete lol read more

love love love. first bite took me right back to New Orleans. so creamy. most places are stingy with crawfish but they give you a good amount of meat. and the food came out real quick. just wished the portion was a lil bit bigger. it's more of a lunch spot, but it's pretty cheap so getting a second portion won't break the bank read more

Yats - Chili Cheese Etouffee - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

My friend introduced me to this place a few months ago and I'm still thinking about the food. It's so good, I want to try everything. The food was prepared quickly and they got our huge order perfect. Loved the vibe. read more

Amazing food and great prices. If you get the spicy bread with your meal, make sure to order extra!

Spicy! It's not my kind of food, but I decided to try it anyway. I got the drunken chicken. It was too spicy for me, and I didn't care for it much, but that's not on them, I am picky, lol. The garlic bread that comes with it was amazing!!! It was really busy and the place was super clean and we didn't wait long at all. For reference, it's a Cajun place, and we went on Fat Tueaday and only waited about 10 minutes for our food. The service was great, everyone was really friendly. Parking is atrocious, but again, nothing they can do about that. read more

I loveeeeee Yats! I used to live by one in Broad Ripple and would go all of the time. I am got my favorite B&b and my husband got the drunken chicken! I usually get the sour cream and onions on it, too, which makes it even better! I love the sweet and savory taste that makes up the B&B! I am also a big bread person, and I love that the entrees comes with it and the yummy butter. Check it out! read more

Yats - B&b and the drunken chicken - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Everything you could want for authentic creole food in a low stress, walk up counter service restaurant. My boyfriend and I were visiting from Louisville and wanted something different & we found it! Yats was a perfect end to a good day. We appreciated the history of the establishment and always aim to support locally owned eateries. Yats is clearly a community staple as it was an hour to close and they were decently busy without being chaotic. Easy to park, we ordered and had food within 3 minutes of walking in. The food was great, and packaging held up well for the ride home for leftovers. We had the gumbo and chili cheese étouffée with crawfish. Highly recommend. read more