We've been coming here at least 1-2 times per month for nearly 2 years now- always good food, always great prices, and always the best people! We love Yats so much that people give us Yats gift cards as presents. And then last night, while using a new gift card, the register showed it as empty. Turns out they had been having trouble with the gift card reader...so they just gave us our meal for free. Truly the nicest people here and cannot recommend the Drunken Chicken, Chili Cheese Etouffee, and the COOKIES (omg the cookies) enough. read more

Fire- 10/10- amazing- so good- I've eaten a whole loaf of bread here- this would be my last meal

My first time coming and i have nothing bad to say at all. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is great. Fast great service. Will be suggesting this place to others. read more

food is always delicious!! it's fast and filling and it's actually well worth the price. the dishes are filled with flavor and the garlic bread is the perfect pair, i love yats! read more

I absolutely love Yats! The food is great, the place is adorable on the inside, and the staff is very friendly. I eat here about once a week! Try the chili cheese crawfish etufae! read more

The Good- Great portions at Yats and their bread is always delicious with the meal. My personal favorite is the chili cheese etoufee w/ crawfish but I haven't tried anything I didn't enjoy here. Second favorite would probably be the gumbo. The people are always super nice when I'm there too! The Pad- Great location not too far away from the monon trail for you runners out there. If you can't find street parking right in front, I suggest parking on 54th to the East or perhaps even in the Fresh Market parking lot since it's right across the street. The Ugly- their rice is pretty bland, surprised it's not spiced or seasoned better. read more

The food is always good and the employees could not be more friendly! We live nearby and love stopping in for a quick but delicious meal!

Love this place. Have been here multiple times and the food is always consistently good. I always forget what I like but they give free samples of everything on offer that day if you ask them, so it's never hard to find something you like. Staff are super cool and laid back. Place is clean. Food is wonderfully inexpensive and just healthy enough to come here often, while still being tasty enough to want to. Both food and ambience feel very "homestyle". I highly recommend at least one visit. BTW: Get one of those giant cookies under the bell jar at the counter. OMG ARE THEY AMAZING!!! read more

if i was on death row i would want my last meal to be yats gumbo with extra bread and a dr pepper

Came in for a rehearsal dinner tasting and Joe was really helpful! Everything was delicious and affordable catering!

I couldn't tell you why I haven't been back to this Yats in over two years. Quick service, good cheap food, NOLA decor and chill vibes - what's not to love? You walk up to the counter order off the chalkboard behind the cashier and I kid you not the food is out +/- by the time you're done filling your drink. I like that you can get two half orders on the same plate, which is great for food mixers like me! I spent only $7.75 and got the B&B a rice, black bean and corn mix with the chicken and red sauce (can't recall the name right now). Plenty of flavor but not crazy spice. My plate came with a piece of French bread which is perfect for dipping! I am definitely going back for more of the French bread and to try the peanut butter pie, chili cheese étouffée, drunken chicken, etc. Expect plenty more check ins at Yats in the future! read more

Yats - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Lowkey atmosphere with very quick service. The menu is packed with amazing flavor, vegan and vegetarian dishes are very satisfying

One of my favorite cheap eats in Indy, plus my preferred location. Order the Chili Cheese Etouffee and extra bread. Always extra bread. The butter is perfection. Get a half and half with Drunken Chicken too. Great way to fill up on two fabulous choices. The rice is always perfectly cooked. The food isn't spicy but there is quite the selection of hot sauces if you want to spice it up. Put a bit of your food on the bread and use it as a utensil. Stick around a bit and you may see Joe the owner. He pops in to say hi every now and then. This is our place to take out of town guests for a quick lunch. read more

I stumbled across this place in late 2019 as I was doing a Postmates order. The customer that I was picking food up for unfortunately canceled their order, and the staff seemed to feel bad that I waited so long just to not get paid. So, they offered a free meal and I tried the drunken chicken. I absolutely loved it, and have been coming here every couple of months since to pick up dinner. The atmosphere is great and the food is always delicious! read more

Can't go wrong with Yats! Love this Indy-famous spot. My favorite is 1/2 and 1/2 with Drunken Chicken and B&B. Bread is delicious and on special days, I add on the peanut butter pie. I am so happy this location takes credit cards now because I always had to remember to get cash. Great food, friendly staff, and happy me! read more

I emailed this restaurant to ask which location was closest to the hotel I am staying at in Indy on vacation this weekend. Someone wrote me back, I think perhaps the owner, verey rudely telling me that, based on the hotel I am staying at, he "did not think the restaurant would be for me". He then went on to say that do not serve alcohol (I guess he assumes that I am a drunk, and ironically, I rarely drink), and it is a quick service place. really, that is what I was looking for, but the owner apparently does not want us there. The email was rude and judgmental, and I could not believe a business owner would not welcome ANYONE into their place based on where they stay for the night. I will now NOT be trying this restaurant based on the owner's rude personality. read more

Drove down from Chicago for a convention and happen to stumble across this place. I ordered the half & half drunken chicken and jambalaya with a small order of gumbo. Definitely over ordered! The portions are huge and so amazing. one of the best Cajun places I've been to outside of Louisiana. read more

I'll be back. A lot. I loved being greeted with a friendly, "Have you been here before?" And when we said 'no,' we were graciously offered samples of the various options. I realize this isn't special treatment at Yats, but to be offered it so warmly when this is routine. That makes a body feel at home. And the samples were all crazy good. I couldn't decide and then I saw a half and half was $7? Sold! The Spinach and Mushroom Etouffee (sp?) and the Chili Cheese Etoufee were excellent. Great food. Great price. Great service. Yats, you had me at 'try this.' read more

Loved Yats! The totally tatted-up, hipster-type guy working the counter couldn't have been more patient with my mom and me as we hemmed and hawed over what fabulous dishes to get for our to-go order. We ended up getting the Drunken Chicken, Chili étouffée with Crawfish, Spinach and Mushroom Étouffée, and Creole Chicken. (Clearly she, my dad and I were planning on eating nothing but Yats for the entirety of my parents' visit). Everything was phenomenal. I really couldn't pick a favorite... Except maybe the chili étouffée. Or the Drunken Chicken. Or everything else, really. All that deliciousness, together with the approximately eight loaves of bread the nice Yats man gave to us (because he probably thought we we were catering a wedding or retirement party), made for a couple of awesome meals while my folks were in town... Plus they freeze beautifully, so I've been able to continue laissez-ing les bons temps rouler during the work week with just a few zaps of the microwave. The only negative us that all the leftovers mean that it'll be a while before my next trip to Yats!! read more

If you don't have the money to hit Nola for mardi gras, just get a couple dishes here and have your wife or girlfriend (or both if you got it like that playboy) put their boobs in your face. It'll cost you way less and be as or more satisfying. I am one of the rare few that can call myself a yatz regular... at their now closed Chicago location. Chicago doesn't know how much it's missing out and on behalf of Chicago please come back. You had a tough location but I will personally tour you to better spots with cheaper rents. I'll even find investors if you wanna sell me a franchise and make sure it gets on Check Please this time. This is no joke! Yatz has a selection of home made Louisiana dishes prepared fresh daily. I've never had a bad dish. Ever. There is nothing comparable in Indy and a handful of wannabes in and around Chicago that don't compare. The one place in Chicago with food as good (Heaven on 7) is about three times more expensive with drinks. Did I mention the Chicago spot was byob eligible? The College Ave spot is great too but because there is no byob I really hope they consider a bar. I envision drinks and music nightly tripling the take if you are willing to stomach the headaches. Maybe not in Broadripple with the bar competition, but you'd be the coolest bar in Castleton and a student fave in West Lafeyette. Or come back to Chicago with a new byob location because I miss you as much as I miss my dead uncle Andy. Why? Because nobody gives it to us like you playboys did! Boobies in my face just aren't the same without you... read more

This is a great lunch spot. Walk in, read the chalkboard, put in your order, grab a seat inside or outside and your food is brought out to you. I had half a chili cheese chicken ettoufe and half red, beans, rice and sausage. The flavors are spot on, the prices low and the portions just right. Since what you're eating is mainly rice and bread it sure is filling. The atmosphere is very casual and inviting. read more

Yats is the only place i refuse to dock a star for not accepting credit card. It's the only reason cash still exists in my world, to eat Yats. Last trip to Indy, had time for one lunch meal, chose Yats. It was an excellent decision. i am very wise. Seems like it would be so easy to create a plate of slop and bread, yet i have not found any place comparable. Tried the Drunken something and it took a few bites for me to realize i enjoyed it, but turned out to be good stuff. Plenty of delicious food at a small cost makes it a fantastic deal. Yats, i will run your NC operation when you are ready. read more

It has been over a year so it is time to update my review of Yats. I'm very pleased to unequivocally give them 5 stars...still! We ordered dinner here the other night for two of my daughters, their husbands, one baby, me and a California friend who is visiting. 6 entrees for under $35!! My California friend was impressed with the food and since he went with me to pick up the food, proclaimed it to be "Berkeley-esque" which is a compliment :-) The Chili Cheese Etoufee with Crawfish is a favorite in my family, so we got four orders of that, one order of the Red Beans and Rice with Sausage, and one order of another entree that I can't remember the name of but it was a chicken dish. All entrees came with rice and bread. Highly recommended. read more

I used to live in Indy, but now live in Chicago. Chicago is great and all, but they are missing one important thing: YATS! I miss Yats so much, and anytime I get the chance to come back to Indy I always have to make my way to Yats. I tried going to the one on Mass Ave but remembered that Indianapolis goes to bed at 9:00 PM, so I had to race up to this one because it closes at 10:00. And in reality that's the only thing holding Yats back. It should be open until like 1:00 AM. But maybe it's a good thing they don't because Yelp would have to change their rating system because Yats would get six stars in my book. read more

Yat's has good grub to fill your belly for such a small bit of your wallet. The menu rotates based on available ingredients (so, I've gathered), but you'll almost always find something you'll like. I always partook in the gumbo, but if they were out then I'd do the crawfish etoufee or the sufferin' succotash. Along with the great food is a great atmosphere. It's a small place. Wait in line to order, give the cashier your name and money (hopefully, it's the one that experiments with shaving various mohawks or the one eyebrow look), get your drink at the fountain and sit down at the next open table. In no time, the kitchen will call out your name and walk your food to your table. They do carry-out, too. On at least two occasions, when the credit card machine was down, or after they decided to get rid of it, the Owner payed my tab or the cashier gave me an IOU. Who does that? Yats does. read more

We were in Yats a few weeks ago and were disturbed to find that they had stopped taking credit cards. Not to worry, they gave us our lunch on I.O.U. Now, what kind of place does that? There was probably 4 other folks while we were there who got an IOU. Everyone came back within a few minutes of finishing their meal and paid the bill. read more

I wish we had a place like this in Toronto. I really miss it. It was so good and so quick. When I first saw that they had a vegan option, I was pretty impressed. But when they handed it to me within a minute after ordering it, I was in love. I forget if it was considered a gumbo or a chili, but it was just essentially a mix of beans and veggies slow cooked with a kick of spice on rice and it tasted amazing. They just put everything into giant slow cookers, wait for you to place your order and BOOM! there's your food. Why hasn't this caught on everywhere? I could sell this food on a street corner easier then cooking hot dogs. When we told them we were a out-of-town band playing a show down the street, they gave us our entire meal for free. I'm not saying to use that to get yourself free grub, I'm saying it because they have some super nice people working there and you should throw all your money at them. Seriously, we need at least one of these places in every city in North America. So please, give them all of your money. read more

It was my first time and the guy behind the counter was very generous in offering a few samples of his favorites before ringing up our order. He offered quinoa as a replacement for the rice. And checked up on us if the food was okay. It was delicious!! We shared the half and half: drunken chicken, Cajun crawfish, beans and sausage, and gumbo. Hard to say which was my favorite they were all so different and we loved the spice. Try them all! read more

Yats - From top to bottom clockwise: drunken chicken/ Cajun creole, gumbo, spicy sausage and beans with quinoa. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

POSSIBLY MY ALL TIME FAVORITE PLACE... the only improvement would be the addition of a bar. Everything and I mean every delicious morsel of food that comes out of that place is fabulous. And you can't beat the price. All time fav is the chili-cheese ettouffee but the new winner has been their chicken and mushroom curry ettouffee dish... The bread for some reason is really good to, but it is nothing fancy just french bread smeared w/ some kind of oil and seasoning. We always get extra. You can not go wrong w/ Yats! The downtown locale is a little smaller, but the Broadripple one is more accommodating for groups and parties. Happy Dining! read more

It's pretty simple - AMAZING FOOD, Great environment, Fast Service, Easy on the wallet I used to frequent this location multiple times a week. The atmosphere is a mashup of Mardi Gras, and local music faces. You will often see the owner running around, greeting you, helping clear tables and trash! He doesn't forget a face! The menu is usually something different everyday, but they do have their staples... I love the Chili Cheese Etouffee (With Crawfish), and their Spinach Mushroom Etouffee and will usually do a half & half plate of both and an extra order of their AMAZING bread. Including the drink its only about $7. If you have a big appetite you'll be pleased, and if you have a little one - you'll be even happier cuz you'll have some to take home with you! read more

What is there to say that hasn't already been said? COME. HERE. TODAY. Honestly, this place is great. Make sure to bring your cash, because this place is cash only. No cash? They have an IOU policy, but seriously just bring cash. Their jambalaya is amazing, as is everything else on the menu. Always always always ask for extra bread. It's almost better than the food! You can walk in and leave with a full belly and a smile on your face for less than $10. Where else can you get local goodness for that price? read more

Yats, I love you and everything that you are. I've been eating Yats for years and have craved it during my occasional moments of moving away and back again. Nothing can compare to the spinach and mushroom etouffee. And whatever blend of butter or oil and spices that is put on that bread, heavenly. I was introduced to Yats by a friend and have since introduced several other newbies to the styrofoam containers filled with heaping amounts of tastiness. Order extra bread, you'll be glad that you did. read more

Chili Cheese Crawfish Etoufee-YUM!! I pretty much stick with that every time I go, always delicious. The workers here are super friendly and make you feel right at home. One of the guys even offered for us to pay him back another time because we did bring cash with us, wow. Thats impressive, I dont know any other businesses that would even think of that. Cheap food, good atmosphere, and great people. read more

I'm from central Indiana, and it's not uncommon for friends here in Chicagoland to ask me "Where should I go to eat in Indy?". I always tell them to go to Yats - particularly on College Ave. "Get the Chili-Cheese, Crawfish Etouffee, extra bread, and a Peanut Butter pie." I've probably told upwards of 20 people to do this, and EVERY SINGLE TIME, I get a text - "I'm at Yats, and this place is incredible!" If you're just checking this place out to see if people like it, if you're looking for a fun place to take some friends, you have to eat here. Bring cash (depends on location) - or don't - they'll let you pay later sometimes. AC read more

I was introduced to Yats down in Bloomington,IN while I was an undergrad at IU and I was psyched to see they had locations in Indianapolis once I moved up here. They serve traditional creole/cajun food over rice with the most delicious buttery bread. Some of my favorite options they have on a regular basis are the chili-cheese crawfish etouffe, white bean chicken chili, the jumbalaya, and the red beans with sausage and rice. Make sure you order extra bread as it is absolutely to die for. One of the quirky aspects to this place is that they are a cash only business, and there is no ATM within walking site, making it kind of difficult for first timers who dont know the routine. The best part about the whole thing is that they take IOU's!!! No joke, like dumb & dumber style, written on a piece of paper, IOU's. Its hillarious when they offer it to you for the first time, i didnt believe them at first but sure enough they write your name down and just ask you to pay next time. Its great for those times you dont have any cash in your pocket as a college student but you know you can hit them up next time. read more

While I was still in Indianapolis the last few meals I ate were at Yats. I went because it basically had the most and best reviews on Yelp. I LOVED it! I mistakingly got the vegetarian spinach curry. It the best vegetarian dish I've ever had (and I'm not a vegatarian)! I went back the next day and the cashier recognized me and gave me a free cheesecake (also really good) The prices are great, the food is great, and the service it wonderful! read more

Service was great. Food was even better! I ordered the Chicken Chorizo Etouffee and enjoyed every bite. Once you walk inside it goes from Broadripple, Indiana to New Orleans, Louisiana. Not my first time here and, definitely, will not be my last. P.S. Make sure you get the extra bread! read more

First and last ever visit to Yats. Stopped in for a Cajun dinner and on a slow Saturday afternoon no one greeted us, so we found a table and after several minutes it was clear that we were on our own. I saw a large chalk board at the bar which may have been the menu? Perhaps we were supposed to go to the bar to place orders? I don't know since no one communicated with us. No one made eye contact. Disappointing to say the least. read more

What is there not to love about Yats? The fact that it's cash only? I guess that's a minor drawback if you're paying for you're entire family ... but if you're grabbing a quick bite solo, bring 5 bucks and you're pretty much set. The food is absolutely spot on. Great tastes, portion sizes, and like I mentioned before ... an exceptional price. Just the right amount of spice in every dish. The Drunken Chicken is just about perfect, but so are a lot of the choices here. Have yet to eat anything at Yats that I didn't like. The indoor seating is pretty standard for a small restaurant or diner settings. The outdoor seating is right out on college avenue. I'm always a fan of enjoying a beautiful day and eating outside, so the option is nice and just another plus for Yats. If they start accepting credit/debit cards they'll be a 5 out of 5 star rating. Definitely swing by and grab a cheap lunch or dinner. read more

Bro at the register was super helpful when it came to helping me decide what I wanted. He let me sample the sauces before I bought. Great staff, great food. Extra bread is a must and if's only 50 cents read more