http://www.yatscajuncreole.com/
It is difficult to imagine that this blog has been in existence for about eleven months and we have yet to say one word about Yats! Most people in Indy will breeze past this review because they know that it rocks, but let’s follow normal protocol here. Long story short on the history: Joe owns the place, it has four locations and does quickserve, cheap, tasty cajun/creole food.
I was in the neighborhood and stopped in at the 96th Street location. First time to Yats? Get the full flavor and head to the original store in Broad Ripple. The menu changes daily, but it does have a few standards. You can check online beforehand to see what is up with the menu for that day.
Chili Cheese Etouffe
What I Got: Chili Cheese Etouffe with Crawfish/White Chicken Chili and extra bread. About $7.00
IMO, the Chile Cheese Etouffe with Crawfish is their flagship dish. Creamy and just well balanced with a proper amount of crawfish sprinkled in. If you bought the Channel 13 Cookbook last year, this recipe was in there. Really tasty and a must have. As with most of the items on the menu, this was served over rice.
The white chicken chili was nice as well. There was a ton of shredded chicken. I would really like to highlight some of the flavors, but I can’t because I scarfed it down so quickly that it waved at my tongue on the way down. Yats bread is ridiculously good as well. Buttered with some cajun seasoning that I would really like to know the mix of spices that they use. If you know what makes up the mix, hit me up on e-mail or Twitter. If I have been fooled by Tony Chachere’s, please kill me.
Look, I have never been to New Orleans, though I will probably go in 2010. I am not sure how authentic it is, but frankly I don’t give a shit because I love their food. If you are in Indy for a few days, you have to give Yats a try. It is truly one of my favorite places in Indianapolis to eat.
Would I Buy It Again? Yes and Hall of Fame.
Fun Yats Story:
About four years ago I was in Yats in Broad Ripple at about 2:00. Joe, the owner, was walking around busing tables and this conversation followed:
Joe: How was lunch?
wibia: Great, when are you going to put the white chicken chili on the menu? It is my girlfriend’s favorite item.
Joe: Do you have about 10 minutes to spare?
wibia: Yup
Joe (10 minutes later arriving at my table with a to go order of white chicken chili): Here you go man, this one is on the house and I hope she enjoys it.
I mean, who has this customer service model anymore? Not only is the food excellent, every person there seems to be cut from the same cloth, loves the food and loves what this represents.
-WIBIA
