Yats
A laid-back Indianapolis gem serving hearty, authentic New Orleans Cajun and Creole cuisine at unbeatable prices.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Yats
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A laid-back Indianapolis gem serving hearty, authentic New Orleans Cajun and Creole cuisine at unbeatable prices.
"This place is amazing and every entree we got was just insanely good."
Try Samples First
Taste various dishes before ordering to discover your personal favorite.
Extra Bread is a Must
Order extra bread to soak up all the delicious sauces, especially with dishes like chili cheese etouffee.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Cajun & Creole
Price
$
Phone
(317) 253-8817
Address
5363 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220, USA
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Chili Cheese Crawfish Étouffée
A signature dish with bold Cajun flavors, it's a must-try for its rich, spicy, and cheesy goodness, served over rice with bread.
Authentic Cajun & Creole Flavors
Indulge in the vibrant and bold tastes of New Orleans, with daily rotating specials that capture the essence of the Big Easy.
Generous Portions, Great Value
Experience hearty meals with substantial portions offered at incredibly reasonable prices, making it a top choice for cheap eats.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Try Samples First
Taste various dishes before ordering to discover your personal favorite.
Extra Bread is a Must
Order extra bread to soak up all the delicious sauces, especially with dishes like chili cheese etouffee.
Half & Half Options
Don't limit yourself! Try a combination of two favorite dishes on one plate.
Off-Peak Hours Recommended
Visit during less busy times to avoid potential crowds and secure a table more easily.
Tips
from all over the internet
Try Samples First
Taste various dishes before ordering to discover your personal favorite.
Extra Bread is a Must
Order extra bread to soak up all the delicious sauces, especially with dishes like chili cheese etouffee.
Half & Half Options
Don't limit yourself! Try a combination of two favorite dishes on one plate.
Off-Peak Hours Recommended
Visit during less busy times to avoid potential crowds and secure a table more easily.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Yats is lauded for its authentic and incredibly flavorful Cajun and Creole cuisine, with generous portions offered at fantastic prices. Diners rave about signature dishes like the chili cheese crawfish étouffée and drunken chicken. While the appearance of the food may be described as 'slop,' its taste is consistently praised as delicious and addictive. The staff is noted for being friendly and accommodating, making it a highly recommended spot for a satisfying and affordable meal.
"I love this place. I know it’s not for everyone but if you love gravy and 🍚 rice, you’re gonna love this. My friend says”it’s a place for people who doesn’t have 🦷 teeth. “ people are friendly, food is delicious, price is right. You can get 2 1/2 orders on the same plate. 🍽️"
L C Studios
"They have a limited selection of Cajun offerings that all sort of look the same - like some kind of chunky slop - but don't let looks fool you.
The stuff if delicious. It's like crack for soul food. There are so many flavors in it that it's hard to believe it can exist.
If you're worried about the spice level, worry not. Our young kids, who are sensitive to spice, scarfed this slop down."
Greg Eakins
"I was visiting Indy and wanted something different. This restaurant is amazing and every entree we got was just insanely good. If you come to Indy you must try this place."
Rich Wachtel
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Signature dishes include the Chili Cheese Crawfish Étouffée, Drunken Chicken, and Jambalaya, all served over rice.
Yes, Yats offers vegetarian and vegan options, such as vegan white chili and spinach & mushroom étouffée.
No, Yats is known for its generous portions at very reasonable prices, making it a top choice for cheap eats.
Yes, Yats often allows customers to try samples to help them decide on their meal.
Absolutely! Yats offers 'half and half' options, allowing you to enjoy two different dishes on one plate.
Parking can be limited in the areas surrounding the restaurant, so plan accordingly.
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The 25 Essential Eats Of Indy
That’s because it’s a one-of-a-kind original that only the likes of Louisiana transplant Joe Vuskovich could have dreamed up when he opened his first Yats in 2001. Somewhere between traditional roux-thickened seafood stew and the melted cheese dip you’d serve on game day, this indulgent menu mainstay has long been a top seller—and guilty pleasure of Yats fans. Maybe that’s why it didn’t translate when Vuskovich tried to expand to Chicago, inspiring one Windy City food writer to call it the “Worst Dining Experience” of his career.
Food in Indianapolis – Experience the Crossroads of America
Yats, which has several Indy locations, serves fresh and spicy Cajun and Creole food in Indianapolis that will remind you of the Big Easy. Adorned with a New Orleans-style decor to match, Yats offers some Bourbon Street favorites such as crawfish etouffee and gumbo all served on rice and ordered with or without cheese, onions and sour cream. The daily menu also rotates a list of different sauces and stews to reflect the founder’s Crescent City roots.
Unique Restaurants in Indianapolis: 12 Cool Places to Eat in Indy
For those craving bold flavors without the hefty price tag, Yats is a game-changer. As one of the top options for cheap eats in Indianapolis, this vibrant eatery offers a taste of New Orleans right in the heart of Indy. Yats specializes in Cajun and Creole cuisine, serving up generous portions of classics like jambalaya, étouffée, and gumbo.
Vegetarian and Vegan Fare in Indianapolis
You won’t mind the cash-only policy at Yats when you taste the Cajun and Creole dishes at astonishingly affordable prices. Whether you’re eating in or carrying out, you can order and have your food in a matter of minutes. Yats offers several meaty, vegetarian, and vegan classics served over rice and with a side of seasoned bread.
Highest-rated Cheap Eats in Indianapolis, According to Tripadvisor
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (227 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Quick Bites, Cajun & Creole- Address: 5363 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220-3141- Read more on Tripadvisor. You may also like: Best places for 10 popular indoor activities in Indianapolis
Mass Ave Neighborhood Guide
Their most famous dish is the chili cheese etouffee, which we would highly recommend with the B&B and an extra order of bread (trust us). It's still locally-owned and each location maintains a unique identity. Mass Ave's location comes complete with a wine slushy machine, to which we say, laissez les bon temps rouler.
Best Restaurants In Indianapolis, IN
Yats keeps Indy’s food scene alive and spicy with fast Cajun and Creole dishes that rotate on and off a daily menu. Known For: Crawfish étouffée, gumbo, the B&B, all served on rice and ordered with or without cheese, onions, and sour cream. If two items are calling your name, go half and half.
What to Eat in Indianapolis
When lunchtime rolls around, you'll have your pick of casual eateries, but Shapiro's Delicatessen (get the pastrami sandwich with a side of the matzo ball soup) and Yats (don't pass up the chili cheese étouffée with crawfish) are Hoosier favorites.
15 Best Restaurants In Indianapolis IN You Must Try
If you like flavor and spice then Yats is the place for you. It features flavors from New Orleans so expect Cajun and Creole-inspired dishes. It is all bright colors and memorabilia and it is just as simple and delicious.
50 Best Restaurants in Indianapolis, IN for 2025 (Top Eats!)
5363 N College AvIndianapolis, IN 46220(317) 253-8817 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Yats is a casual counter-service restaurant that first debuted in 2001 and specializes in robust New Orleans food.
27 Best Restaurants in Indianapolis in
A post shared by Indianapolis’ @BestFoodFeed (@bestfoodindianapolis). Yats is a New Orleans-themed restaurant that originated in Indianapolis. The restaurant now has locations in Ohio and Tennessee as well.
Your favorite place to eat in Indianapolis : indianapolis
Burgers: Kuma's Corner Burritos: Tacos 46 Thai: Thai Spice Ice Cream: Ritters Cheap, but good: Yats, Tortas el Guerro, Manns Grille Sushi: Asaka Breakfast: Mother's Table, Flapjacks
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Enjoy a flavor-packed journey at Yats, a Downtown Indianapolis restaurant inspired by vibrant Creole and Cajun traditions and classic New Orleans dishes.
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Offers a taste of Cajun and Creole cuisine in a casual, laid-back setting, with options that kids will love. Plus, the decor is interesting to look at.
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Yats Cajun Creole Restaurant 659 Massachusetts Ave. (317) 686-6380 Yelp: 4.5 Stars, 171 Reviews I’ll tell you the truth. At first, I hated Yats.
Top 25 restaurants in Indianapolis to visit while there for the NCAA Tournament
Yats: With multiple locations, this place is known for its fast Cajun and Creole food, including crawfish etouffee and gumbo.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit