Yats

A family favorite. Casual atmosphere. We usually get takeout. Portions are very large. Everything is always delicious. Chili cheese etouffe is the family fav. Red beans rice and sausage comes in 2^nd. Bread is delish. Desserts are lacking but hey the bread can fill that role.

Food was good and beer is served at this one unlike some of the others making it feel like you’re in a free country or something and the help seemed nice enough, that alone would have been enough for 4 stars had it not been for the lack of good corporate citizenship on display at the restrooms. They are labeled for paying customers only. I can’t stand places that do this and then want to consider themselves good corporate citizens. If nothing else I’d like to wash my hands before I pay for my food and your stupid rules are messing with my mind.

I’ve been to several locations around the city and the Mass Ave location is by far the worst.
The guy working the register was off to the side eating his lunch. My sister politely apologized for interrupting his lunch. The guy just starred at her without saying a word. A simple «Hey, it’s no problem. Welcome to Yats» would’ve been nice instead of acting like a serial killer.
Wasn’t a big fan of this place before my interaction with a serial killer and those feelings haven’t changed.
The food has no flavor. Thats why they have 327 different hot sauces to cover up the lack of flavor. Not authentic Cajun/​Creole food at all.
On a side note: I would go back to just eat their bread.

Holy rice and beans, this place is big!
For being on the über-​popular Mass Ave, I expected it to be tiny. This is by far the biggest Yats location I’ve ever been inside, with plenty of seating and room in between tables.
That being said, this lacks the charm of other Yats locations. Something about the one at 53/​College with the intimate setting, New Orleans decorations, and dim lighting makes it feel super jazzy.
My dining companion and I were the only ones there on a weekday at 5 and our dinner was ready ASAP. I’m a fan of the red beans and sausage, because it’s not spicy and we all know I can’t take the heat.
For parking purposes: there is a free lot out back with limited spots for Yats customers and the north end of Mass Ave boasts more available metered spots than down yonder.

You can’t go wrong with yats! This location is nice, clean, and service is always top notched. I love how this location is not far from my office. I usually get the b&b and one of other popular dishes. Everything is always good. They will let you sample some before you decide. This location serves beer as well too!

Yats is always a go to when you need a quick meal but still want a good experience. I personally love the «drunk chicken» and always add sour cream and shredded cheese on top. The atmosphere is quite relaxed, and on Mass Ave there are huge windows which makes for good people watching. Price is very reasonable, and if you have self restraint portion size is large enough to take home for lunch the next day (but don’t expect to because the food is so delicious I never am able to stop until the dish is clean).

I’ve never been disappointed eating at Yats. This was my first time stopping in at the Mass Ave location. Tonight I had the white chicken chili and the mushroom étouffée. (I’ll also have it tomorrow, since the servings are huge!) The service is always genuinely good. (Once at the Broad Ripple location they gave me a free lunch because they were working on their plumbing.) The price is also fantastic for the amount of food you get. I spent more at McDonalds for dinner a few weeks ago.

Well we were in the mood for some Cajun and we sure found the right place. I was happy that there is actually parking near the location and the area was a little slow on this Sunday morning so we had no issue finding a spot.
We weren’t greeted when we walked in and they didn’t have instructions clearly marked. We didn’t know you had to order first and then sit down. The cashier was very friendly. He was helpful in making recommendations and also let us sample some so that we knew what we were getting.
There were hand written notes hanging all over the place for things out of service or asking you not to move the tables. I thought it was a little unprofessional and looked tacky. The drink machine was out of lemonade and the tea was gross. The sweet tea tastes like it had chunks of sugar in it and the unsweetened still tasted sweet. Not to mention the floor all around the area were sticky.
Other than that, the place was clean. There was plenty of seating. The portions were big and it was good value. Plus the food was delicious. I really like that they allow ½ and ½ plates. I tried the chili cheese étouffée and chipotle chicken alexio. Both were very good. I wish the étouffée had more crawfish but still good.
I would definitely come back here. Hopfully they can get their drink situation taken care of before then.

Ummmm… what can I say? It’s cheap, it’s delicious… the options change daily and they go for the omnivore as well as the veggie/​vegan crowd. Should I mention the bread is like crack??? Oh and it’s funky… it’s supposed to be and it effin’ rocks my world. keep it up.

Yats is absolutely crave-​able. I’ve never left any location disappointed. I’m all about that white chicken chili (which is gluten free!) and I love that the Mass Ave location features several local beers and ciders on draft as well as sweet treats from Newfangled Confections. Great casual dining experience, fast service, large portions, budget friendly, and something different with plenty of flavor. It’s all a win.

I want to take a minute to edit my review because I think it sounds too much like a hater! I’m not a hater of all the cooking here… After, having had it over the years I admit I don’t like it.
The place itself is great, and the guys are very kind! It’s my personal opinion that they *very* off when it comes to Cajun cooking or creole because I’m genuinely not sure what style it is.
The proportions are odd. A smidgen of rice to two heaping spoonfuls of gumbo/​stew/​chili or whatever. The biggest issue I have is the taste and flavoring. There is too much roux and not enough season and spices. It’s not ok to taste flour and fat in a sauce. I fully commit to the use of seasoning, and sorry for your loses if you can’t jump right in with me. Maybe I am just tired of the admiration not so great (or not as flavorful) cooking has here?
It’s not that… I can’t find something to enjoy here possibly. I just do not believe it is over the top delicious as many many people would disagree.
So to explain:
The crawfish etoufee (let’s break this down)
It is heavily thickened and almost inedible from the taste of flour.
The red pepper and mirepoix were non existent or burr mixed down. The crawfish was waaaay too sparse and too small. I understand the composition of etoufee, and why they «probably» try to have more gravy than bits…
The rice, seems like it is undercooked (usually the opposite for rice)
I am going to suggest Yats as a last resort to Southern cooking. They just do not do it well.

I no longer live in Indianapolis.. .but i’ve been a Yats fan long before I was on Unilocal.I remember the original location on Broadripple.. and talking to MR. Yatz several times. .
This is the downtown option for yatz lovers. it is solid yatz with a few differences I know from the original.
.1 — same awesome food. Cajun style saucey stuff served over rice. Delicious garlic bread served on the side
2 — same drinks policy — as far as I can tell (with refills)
3 — big difference — booze. This place has a bit of a bar, and a cool way to fill up beer glasses. . (upside down tap something?).
Meals are about $ 6.00 and are awesome. I recommend 1) asking to taste if your not sure 2) getting two complimentary dishes on one plate.
Damn — this makes me hungry just thinking about it.
Now I can just sit here in Denver and HOPE for a local Yatz :)

Enjoyed the new Mass Ave location close to IUPUI campus between classes. Drunken Chicken always works! Staff was friendly; check the Yats website for daily menus at different locations.

Yum and yum Cajun comfort food joint that serves all kinds of delicious goop over rice. It totally hits the spot when you want something simple to feed the tummy and the soul.
Food: I ordered the half-​and-​half with Chili Cheese Étouffée and Chipotle Chicken over rice. Both were deelish, but the chili cheese is a MUST, as the chewy bites of crawfish amongst creamy cheesy sauce were straight from heaven. Also, don’t forget to check out the ON POINT hot sauce selections to add some extra tang.
Drinks: Beer. Yats has local Indy beers (Sun King Brewery) as well as four beers on draft. When I went, the drafts were an IPA, strawberry blonde, oatmeal stout, and pumpkin beer. The stout was literally better than dessert.
Ambiance: Unassuming cafeteria with simple fare served on disposable plates and eaten with plastic utensils. Plenty of seating, large windows with abundant sunlight, nice location on amongst other bars and restaurants along Mass Ave. Friendly service.

Visited only time in May. Asked for a cup of hot water to warm my daughters bottle of breastmilk and was told they don’t use hot water in the entire restaurant. I knew this was a load of crap so after 5 minutes of going back and forth they agree to give me hot water from the kitchen. It was such a hassle
Also i was surprised that the menu only has like 6 options? My dish was mediocre at best

What a staple of the Indy food scene. Who hasn’t been to Yats and loved it? The food is simple, no frills creole stews and such. The few favorites on the menu stay put while a crew of new and experimental dishes rotate through the lineup. My favorite is the ever-​popular Chili-​Cheese Etouffe. Come here for some fast feel-​good comfort food, not an elegant 5-​course meal.
Order an extra side of bread. So good…

WHY.
Being a foodie in downtown Indy for the summer, many people recommended Yatz as a go-​to fast food place. Me and my friends were so excited to see what all the hype was about. We all got chicken dishes and it’s literally indigestible. It’s just a soup of unidentifiables smacked on rice waiting to come out as diarrhea. Where is the chicken?! You gotta fish it out! This is Americanized Cajun food done terribly.
The only reason why people could think that this is good food is if they’re drunk or they have not truly had amazing food before.
Nothing wrong with the establishment, service, or venue, just terrible food. Foodies steer clear.

What is not to love about Yats? No matter the location, you always get a Cajun feast with a side of delicious bread that probably has crack in it — it’s that good.
Yats is one of the few restaurants in Indy I can honestly say that I have never left disappointed. No matter what I order — I usually rotate between the B&B, drunken chicken and chili cheese étouffée — it’s ALWAYS good, hot (temperature wise) and the right amount of spicy. You can always add more hot sauce thanks to their handy hot sauce bar.
Order at the counter, sit down with your drinks, and your order will be out in two seconds! They’re nothing if not fast and punctual.
If you’re like me and sometimes can’t decide what to order, I recommend getting the half and half — two delicious entrees. Truly the best of both worlds.

First time at this location, very clean dining area and they had 3 floyds on tap! The food was over the top good as usual. My son enjoyed his twice as fast as me. We both enjoyed the many hot sauce options.

Oh YATS, you will always have a special place in my heart. Who doesn’t love completely affordable, filling food?
I always love getting half and half of any of the veggie/​vegan options that they have. Just took a few friends that are new in town and they completely agreed that it was one of their favorite restaurants in Indy. I love that the food is so affordable yet the flavors never get old! The bread is flawless and the rice is Cooked to perfection.
The décor is spot-​on and the staff is always friendly! Only thing I don’t like is the amount of styrofoam that is used and thrown away but I understand it’s necessary to keep costs low. Other than that, YATS is always a win!