Welp,
the story goes like this:
Once upon a time, I was in love with Yats. When there was but one Yats, the one on College, I felt they could do no wrong. They had a familiar feeling to their friendliness and a authentic flavoring (at least to my knowledge of Nawlin's authenticity) to their food. I would go in Yats not knowing what to order but willing to try anything, even the vegan options and I'm anything but vegan.
Years have passed since I felt like this and many Yats pop up shops have grown all over the Indiana and beyond. And unfortunately, it tastes like it. Yesterday I decided that I didn't want to spend much money for food, so I stopped at Yats. I figured it had been awhile since I had any and I would try a sample to see how my tastebuds were feeling. The last few times I ate at Yats, I was underwhelmed but I kept trying to charge it to excessive Yats visits.
Welp,
the story goes like this:
That was not the case. I ordered the White Chicken Chili and the Drunken Chicken half and half. As always, the decor is inviting and calm, the smells are good and the staff was friendly and willing to let me try whatever i wanted, but that's about it. I tried several times to eat the full meal. I never quite finished it. It tasted it bland, even with the variety of garlic and hot sauces that I grabbed on the way out the door. The food tasted like chain food. It tasted like it arrived at the facilities frozen, was thawed out in a big stock pot in the back and is just sitting around awaiting someone to request a bowl of it to be laid atop some rice. Perhaps if I had remembered to ask for cheese and sour cream on the top that would have made it better. The chili was just bland, which was weird because it's the sample I requested and thought it tasted pretty good in small plastic cup. Something happened when it arrived in my styrofoam tray. * cue sad and disappointed snoot face*
The drunken chicken was too sober for my liking. I'm not sure what goes in drunken chicken, but I've had it before many times and from other places. I will likely never order it from Yats again. Actually, if I were being completely honest, which I am, I will probably never go to Yats again.
I don't want MY review to deter anyone from going tho, which is why I'm giving it three stars. Yats is one of those places that pleases certain tastebuds. Many people still enjoy the comforts of Yat's Creole kitchening. I love Creole food myself. But I think it's time for me to find a new chef in a new kitchen with a different name and no duplicate restaurants. I will always keep a place for Yats in my heart. The service is great and again, so are the people.
But that food I ordered yesterday was less than spectacular. Dollars are too hard to come by to eat food that you don't want to finish. I prefer my servings to make me want to lick the bowl.
Whatever that was I had yesterday made me want to give the bowl to my dogs to lick, but I doubt cajun food would sit well on their tummy's. I wish Yat's all the best and I know it's me, not them. I'm sorry we have to break up, but I will say this before I end:
It was one helluva ride together !!!!! * hearts * read more