Oh my god I am so sad we don't live near one of these. We were passing through Columbus last night and had dinner here, and now I'm deeply sad that we've gotten home and I can't have this for dinner again tonight. We had drunken chicken and chicken etouffee, and I will be dreaming about both (and that bread) while I eat whatever crap is in my refrigerator tonight. Please come to Chicago, Yats!
(5)
Luminor P.
Place is overrated and overpriced. The food is OK at best but seems to be just "warm" when you get it. They try to give you the image of more food by spreading it over a larger plate but it is maybe a half inch deep so you are lucky to get a bowl. Here is the kicker.....their pricing is a joke and an insult to their customers and for that I will never return nor recommend Yats. You can get a plate of whatever you want for I think $6....now if you want so get a half and half plate of whatever you want they are more than happy to accommodate. However, I think the price for that is $7.25. Now how does that make any sense??? The plates are the same size so you are not getting any more food, I can get the plate with any one of the single selections I want for a cheaper price....but o my if I ask them to pick up a different ladle (yes this is all premade in the back in pots....they just scoop out to order) for a different scoop they charge me more. This is just taking advantage of their customer and greed. NO THANK YOU YATS! And also....I could care less about the bottom feed tap system. Those cups have to be expensive for that gimmick magnet in the bottom and they are 100% disposable. I'd rather just have cheaper beer.
(1)
Pam C.
Not quite sure what this place is trying to be. Is it a lunch place? If so, weird that you have to walk past the full bar to order. I don't think the food choices and the walk-up service make it a great evening place. The bottom-fill cups are cool...until you figure out you are drinking beer from a plastic cup. That was fun in college. I think just ignore the bar and grab lunch--lots of rice, though; so not for Atkins fans!
(3)
Tanner T.
I enjoy the friendly atmosphere and the food is ready fast. I always get half and half with the chili cheese etouffee and whatever else strikes my fancy. Also any place with over 10 kinds of hot sauce is a winner in my book.
(5)
Tom T.
An Indianapolis staple coming to Columbus. Expect a classic Cajun menu and even more for the adventurous types. Great prices and rumored will be offering a nice selection of microbrews and wine.
(5)
Fred D.
have eaten here several times now. basically the menu is very limited with a half a dozen options maybe (if you don't count the vegetarian choices). these same options appear day in, day out - even though the menu is a chalkboard deal, it isn't like they're rotating between a lot of dishese from day to day (had hoped that they'd be mixing things up to get more variety, but sadly no). everything is pretty much the same, something in a sauce served over rice. no doubt the sauces are tasty, but there's not a whole lot of meat involved - you get a lot of rice with a laddle of sauce containing a small bit of meat mixed in (and it seems the amount of meat has been falling off - recently had the crawfish etoufee and there wasn't a recognizable piece of crawfish to be seen), so while the prices are low, there's not a whole lot of bang for that buck. also the food is prepped well in advance, so it is pretty lifeless really - definitely not cooked to order, so while getting the food is fast, it isn't again a terribly good value (for example in any of the chicken dishes, you don't get nice firm chunks of meat, but rather some limp stringy bits). cajun and creole food is great and think that columbus would really eat it up, but not the way that this place serves it - probably explains why it's pretty empty most of the time.
(2)
Tracey O.
Went here for the first time today and I definitely plan to go back. The daily menu is written up on the board (love the fact that it rotates and changes). The price was extremely affordable. Also looking forward to enjoying a beer with my meal next time I go back! I have a feeling I will become a regular, and I am a-okay with that :-D
(5)
Carlene C.
We stopped in at the Yats for dinner on 4th Street Saturday night before seeing a movie. We were so pleased with the speedy and friendly service. The food is amazing especially for the price. The outdoor dining is comfortable and clean. This is a great place to gather with friends since the beer on tap is really good and I should mention that the beer dispenser is pretty cool. Weird but cool. Sure beats $10 popcorn and $5 soda at the movie!
(5)
Sean C.
I've only been to Columbus a handful of times and live in Chicago so I have an over-abundance of amazing restaurants, but Yats is a place that stands out to me. Firstly, it's very well laid out and had plenty of seating, is clean, and we'll organized. The beauty of this place, like many of my favorites, is that it is unique. It finds a way to do something a different way. From the multitude of hot sauce available to try at will, to the foods design and creation, everything is unique and uncommon which makes me keep coming in to try something new. Food here is gumbo / rice mix style. Every one is unique on its own. I can't think of another restaurant with this food style. Part Cajun, part Indian, part Thai. It utilizes spices very well. You add the amount of heat you want from the hot sauce bottles spread about. Your choice! For the money, well worth the investment. Highly recommended. I wish we had a place this good, cheap, clean, and courteous in Chicago.
(5)
Chris Y.
I love Yats! I'm here quite often and almost always get the chili cheese etouffee with crawfish. It's so rich and delicious that it warms the soul when you're having a bad day. Always wipe the plate clean with the last of the bread. Mmmm. The curry chicken etouffee is quite good and it doesn't scream curry to me it's just chicken and mushroom etouffee. I've tried nearly everything on the menu and it's all good - just find what you like. If you're new to Yats I recommend the 1/2 and 1/2 plate - try whatever sounds good. If you're nervous about this unfamiliar food get 1/2 red beans and rice and 1/2 chili cheese etouffee as an introduction and you can branch out from there or settle in for your favorite. Diet Mountain Dew is a bonus. Nice atmosphere and friendly people run the place, so it's always a pleasure.
(4)
Elizabeth E.
I love this place. It's not fancy and don't expect table service, but it's worth it. The food is amazing. Always order the half and half, it's like getting two fantastic meals in one! The beer selection is really nice and they rotate the taps which is also a bonus. They've got something for everyone (well, you need to like spicy food), but they've got vegetarian and seafood options as well as chicken and pork. Everything comes over a bed of rice and for the two of us we ate and had beer for around $20. You really can't beat that!
(4)
Dina D.
Yats is a great, quick cajun option when you're short on time or money. Heck, it's the only Cajun option within 50 or so miles, so eat here even if your wallet is overflowing and you have all the time in the world. The daily selections can change a bit, but my favorite is the Macques-Choux and the B&B, both of which are slightly sweet and spicy, and contain a fair amount of corn. The Gumbo is nice as well. The bread is addictively dangerous...you can order extra if you are so inclined. Yats is also is a great place to come for live music for Second Saturdays, when the second Saturday of each month from 7pm-10pm they have an open mic night and various local people come out to play. It's great to watch people who have normal day jobs break out and sing. There's some serious talent around here, and it's always a good time.
(4)
Matthew R.
It seems like people either love or hate Yats. Maybe it is a texture thing. True--it is just rice covered in slop but for me, food doesn't get much better than this! I never broadcast my vegetarianism, but will say that one thing I love about Yats is the fact that they have plenty of delicious options for non-meat eaters. I was having lunch today with a group of old friends from high school. One works at the Republic and another at Cummins. Despite the below-freezing temps, we were all able to walk there from our offices. That feels nice, right? After waiting in line for 5-ish minutes, I was greeted by a very cheerful person and ordered a B&B (black beans and caramelized corn over rice) and a Zwanzigz Honey Wheat beer. The food came out quickly, the beer was perfectly chilled, and the owner came to our table to be sure that we were all satisfied with our food. We were! I like my food to be spicy and there was no shortage of hot sauces to choose from. Bonus. We were there for more than an hour and I noticed that the line was never shorter than 5 people, which I interpret as a sign that the food is worth waiting for. I guess that also means that a lot of people got their food to go because there were always a few tables available. My synopsis: Yats has great food, great beer, great staff, great location and great atmosphere. Get you some!!!
(5)
Erin L.
I work upstairs from this place. I eat there twice a week. It isn't overly expensive, the folks who own the place are awesome, and the food is fabulous. It's unfair of other reviewers to give bad reviews to restaurants because they don't happen to like the food they chose. Not everyone likes all foods. That doesn't mean it's a bad place to eat. Just because it might not be _your taste_ doesn't mean that other people won't enjoy it. To this end, recommended highly to anyone who likes spicy, rice dishes. Have a difficult time taking kids there because kids don't generally do spicy. Vegetarian friendly, and often has a curry dish on menu.
(5)
Stephanie G.
Great food! I love the etoufee with crawfish! I dont like that they serve only until they run out bc i can never get there soon enough to get some Jambalaya! I really want to try it! Good prices too!
Wow people 5 stars? Can't trust anyone for good food recommendation. I guess only people who review this place are people who like it for some soggy reason. This is obvious because the food is disgusting. My food tasted like fungus and my wife's tasted like a slightly less stale fungus. Didn't even eat just walked out. At least it was cheap.
(1)
Michael C.
Yatz is a cheap option for a decent sized portion and good quality food. I'm a regular and definitely recommend trying it. The jambalaya is amazing.
I often come this town from another states. I finally found a good restaurant. This restaurant is No 3 restaurant in Columbus IN This is the place I normally eat lunch. I love B&B and Spinach Mushrooms The food is delicious and very quick. Even if you have 1 hour lunch time, you can get the food right away. Vegitarian friendly. If you like spicy food. I would recommend you;)
(4)
Adam S.
Passing through town we were looking for something quick. We stopped in and were greeted by friendly waitstaff, who offered to let us sample a few of the offerings. Each of us ordered something different and all of us enjoyed our meals. The food is well proportioned for lunch. Not too spicy and plenty of sauces for those that want more kick. Solid selection of beers. Bathrooms were nice and ladies room had a changing table with a stash of diapers. Definitely worth a visit.
(4)
paul s.
Anything called Mock Shoe must be given a try!!! Yats is not what I expected....OK I don't know what I should have expected.... this place is simple, crisp and clean. decor reminds me of the quarter mixed with some Hoosier charm. the food is just as I remember it should be, full of flavor no need to add anything. but if you must they have more than enough fiery hot sauces for your pallet.... my favorite part... plastic forks and Styrofoam plates.. again reminds me of small places around the quarter. Mock Shoe and creamy crawfish ettouffe yes you can do 1/2 and 1/2. with a drink under a hamilton!! will come back and bring friends, but only the hungry ones!!
(5)
Tara M.
I've lived in Indy for almost 4 years and had never been to Yats until Saturday. As a vegetarian cajun food didn't exactly call to me. On Saturday I found myself in Columbus, hungry, and so I made my way to the Yats in the Commons. They had three vegetarian options (two of which were vegan and gluten-free): 1. Mushroom and spinach etoufee (etoufee means that it has a butter and flour base) 2. Succotash with kidney beans, okra, and corn 3. Black bean something or other We went with an order of #1 and #2. Each was served on a styrofoam plate under a pile of rice and with a garlic toast. It was pretty tasty and great value at $6 a plate, but I probably won't hurry back. I'm personally not a big fan of that style of eating - a big glop of something on top of rice. It's the same reason why I don't like most Indian lunch buffets. But if you are a fan of that style of eating, you will probably like Yats a lot. There's lots of space so it's good for families, and they even have extra diapers in the women's restroom (major parent points for that).
(3)
Kevin K.
Super Fast - it takes longer to wait in line than it does to get your food most days! Super Good - I've avoided the crawfish but everything else has been stellar. Super Well Prices - under $8 out the door for a plate of food, bread and a drink. Deal! Can't wait to go back and eat their yummy food. My only "complaint" - I wish they made more jambalaya as they run out almost every day!
(5)
Matthew D J.
Great food & beer! Always consistent. Super friendly staff & gracious owners. Highly recommended when visiting downtown Columbus, IN.
(5)
Cruz B.
This restaurant is very good at what it does, which is Cajun food that is fast and tasty. The people are nice and they have good beers on tap if you're stopping by after work for a bite. You can get plenty of food and a drink for less than $10. Can't beat it.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Garage Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Lauren F.
Oh my god I am so sad we don't live near one of these. We were passing through Columbus last night and had dinner here, and now I'm deeply sad that we've gotten home and I can't have this for dinner again tonight. We had drunken chicken and chicken etouffee, and I will be dreaming about both (and that bread) while I eat whatever crap is in my refrigerator tonight. Please come to Chicago, Yats!
(5)Luminor P.
Place is overrated and overpriced. The food is OK at best but seems to be just "warm" when you get it. They try to give you the image of more food by spreading it over a larger plate but it is maybe a half inch deep so you are lucky to get a bowl. Here is the kicker.....their pricing is a joke and an insult to their customers and for that I will never return nor recommend Yats. You can get a plate of whatever you want for I think $6....now if you want so get a half and half plate of whatever you want they are more than happy to accommodate. However, I think the price for that is $7.25. Now how does that make any sense??? The plates are the same size so you are not getting any more food, I can get the plate with any one of the single selections I want for a cheaper price....but o my if I ask them to pick up a different ladle (yes this is all premade in the back in pots....they just scoop out to order) for a different scoop they charge me more. This is just taking advantage of their customer and greed. NO THANK YOU YATS! And also....I could care less about the bottom feed tap system. Those cups have to be expensive for that gimmick magnet in the bottom and they are 100% disposable. I'd rather just have cheaper beer.
(1)Pam C.
Not quite sure what this place is trying to be. Is it a lunch place? If so, weird that you have to walk past the full bar to order. I don't think the food choices and the walk-up service make it a great evening place. The bottom-fill cups are cool...until you figure out you are drinking beer from a plastic cup. That was fun in college. I think just ignore the bar and grab lunch--lots of rice, though; so not for Atkins fans!
(3)Tanner T.
I enjoy the friendly atmosphere and the food is ready fast. I always get half and half with the chili cheese etouffee and whatever else strikes my fancy. Also any place with over 10 kinds of hot sauce is a winner in my book.
(5)Tom T.
An Indianapolis staple coming to Columbus. Expect a classic Cajun menu and even more for the adventurous types. Great prices and rumored will be offering a nice selection of microbrews and wine.
(5)Fred D.
have eaten here several times now. basically the menu is very limited with a half a dozen options maybe (if you don't count the vegetarian choices). these same options appear day in, day out - even though the menu is a chalkboard deal, it isn't like they're rotating between a lot of dishese from day to day (had hoped that they'd be mixing things up to get more variety, but sadly no). everything is pretty much the same, something in a sauce served over rice. no doubt the sauces are tasty, but there's not a whole lot of meat involved - you get a lot of rice with a laddle of sauce containing a small bit of meat mixed in (and it seems the amount of meat has been falling off - recently had the crawfish etoufee and there wasn't a recognizable piece of crawfish to be seen), so while the prices are low, there's not a whole lot of bang for that buck. also the food is prepped well in advance, so it is pretty lifeless really - definitely not cooked to order, so while getting the food is fast, it isn't again a terribly good value (for example in any of the chicken dishes, you don't get nice firm chunks of meat, but rather some limp stringy bits). cajun and creole food is great and think that columbus would really eat it up, but not the way that this place serves it - probably explains why it's pretty empty most of the time.
(2)Tracey O.
Went here for the first time today and I definitely plan to go back. The daily menu is written up on the board (love the fact that it rotates and changes). The price was extremely affordable. Also looking forward to enjoying a beer with my meal next time I go back! I have a feeling I will become a regular, and I am a-okay with that :-D
(5)Carlene C.
We stopped in at the Yats for dinner on 4th Street Saturday night before seeing a movie. We were so pleased with the speedy and friendly service. The food is amazing especially for the price. The outdoor dining is comfortable and clean. This is a great place to gather with friends since the beer on tap is really good and I should mention that the beer dispenser is pretty cool. Weird but cool. Sure beats $10 popcorn and $5 soda at the movie!
(5)Sean C.
I've only been to Columbus a handful of times and live in Chicago so I have an over-abundance of amazing restaurants, but Yats is a place that stands out to me. Firstly, it's very well laid out and had plenty of seating, is clean, and we'll organized. The beauty of this place, like many of my favorites, is that it is unique. It finds a way to do something a different way. From the multitude of hot sauce available to try at will, to the foods design and creation, everything is unique and uncommon which makes me keep coming in to try something new. Food here is gumbo / rice mix style. Every one is unique on its own. I can't think of another restaurant with this food style. Part Cajun, part Indian, part Thai. It utilizes spices very well. You add the amount of heat you want from the hot sauce bottles spread about. Your choice! For the money, well worth the investment. Highly recommended. I wish we had a place this good, cheap, clean, and courteous in Chicago.
(5)Chris Y.
I love Yats! I'm here quite often and almost always get the chili cheese etouffee with crawfish. It's so rich and delicious that it warms the soul when you're having a bad day. Always wipe the plate clean with the last of the bread. Mmmm. The curry chicken etouffee is quite good and it doesn't scream curry to me it's just chicken and mushroom etouffee. I've tried nearly everything on the menu and it's all good - just find what you like. If you're new to Yats I recommend the 1/2 and 1/2 plate - try whatever sounds good. If you're nervous about this unfamiliar food get 1/2 red beans and rice and 1/2 chili cheese etouffee as an introduction and you can branch out from there or settle in for your favorite. Diet Mountain Dew is a bonus. Nice atmosphere and friendly people run the place, so it's always a pleasure.
(4)Elizabeth E.
I love this place. It's not fancy and don't expect table service, but it's worth it. The food is amazing. Always order the half and half, it's like getting two fantastic meals in one! The beer selection is really nice and they rotate the taps which is also a bonus. They've got something for everyone (well, you need to like spicy food), but they've got vegetarian and seafood options as well as chicken and pork. Everything comes over a bed of rice and for the two of us we ate and had beer for around $20. You really can't beat that!
(4)Dina D.
Yats is a great, quick cajun option when you're short on time or money. Heck, it's the only Cajun option within 50 or so miles, so eat here even if your wallet is overflowing and you have all the time in the world. The daily selections can change a bit, but my favorite is the Macques-Choux and the B&B, both of which are slightly sweet and spicy, and contain a fair amount of corn. The Gumbo is nice as well. The bread is addictively dangerous...you can order extra if you are so inclined. Yats is also is a great place to come for live music for Second Saturdays, when the second Saturday of each month from 7pm-10pm they have an open mic night and various local people come out to play. It's great to watch people who have normal day jobs break out and sing. There's some serious talent around here, and it's always a good time.
(4)Matthew R.
It seems like people either love or hate Yats. Maybe it is a texture thing. True--it is just rice covered in slop but for me, food doesn't get much better than this! I never broadcast my vegetarianism, but will say that one thing I love about Yats is the fact that they have plenty of delicious options for non-meat eaters. I was having lunch today with a group of old friends from high school. One works at the Republic and another at Cummins. Despite the below-freezing temps, we were all able to walk there from our offices. That feels nice, right? After waiting in line for 5-ish minutes, I was greeted by a very cheerful person and ordered a B&B (black beans and caramelized corn over rice) and a Zwanzigz Honey Wheat beer. The food came out quickly, the beer was perfectly chilled, and the owner came to our table to be sure that we were all satisfied with our food. We were! I like my food to be spicy and there was no shortage of hot sauces to choose from. Bonus. We were there for more than an hour and I noticed that the line was never shorter than 5 people, which I interpret as a sign that the food is worth waiting for. I guess that also means that a lot of people got their food to go because there were always a few tables available. My synopsis: Yats has great food, great beer, great staff, great location and great atmosphere. Get you some!!!
(5)Erin L.
I work upstairs from this place. I eat there twice a week. It isn't overly expensive, the folks who own the place are awesome, and the food is fabulous. It's unfair of other reviewers to give bad reviews to restaurants because they don't happen to like the food they chose. Not everyone likes all foods. That doesn't mean it's a bad place to eat. Just because it might not be _your taste_ doesn't mean that other people won't enjoy it. To this end, recommended highly to anyone who likes spicy, rice dishes. Have a difficult time taking kids there because kids don't generally do spicy. Vegetarian friendly, and often has a curry dish on menu.
(5)Stephanie G.
Great food! I love the etoufee with crawfish! I dont like that they serve only until they run out bc i can never get there soon enough to get some Jambalaya! I really want to try it! Good prices too!
(4)Chris L.
I see why everyone brags about the chili cheese étouffée with crawfish! I got a half/half order (1/2 order of 2 menu items) with that plus the chorizo étouffée and both were fantastic. The bread was awesome (I got extra bread and was so glad I did), too.
(5)Mister M.
Wow people 5 stars? Can't trust anyone for good food recommendation. I guess only people who review this place are people who like it for some soggy reason. This is obvious because the food is disgusting. My food tasted like fungus and my wife's tasted like a slightly less stale fungus. Didn't even eat just walked out. At least it was cheap.
(1)Michael C.
Yatz is a cheap option for a decent sized portion and good quality food. I'm a regular and definitely recommend trying it. The jambalaya is amazing.
(5)Amanda F.
I just absolutely love everything about Yats. The friendly atmosphere, helpful staff, and not to mention THE FOOD! I have ordered everything they have had to offer over the past 6 years or so, and I must say, I never had a bad dish. However, my heart belongs to the Spinach and Mushroom Étouffée. Such a great mix of flavors along with a dash of the Cajun Power hot sauce atop the delicious, crusty bread and you've got yourself the perfect bite! As with all other Yats locations, Columbus did not disappoint. I will be a lifelong Yats customer.
(5)Kiyoko M.
I often come this town from another states. I finally found a good restaurant. This restaurant is No 3 restaurant in Columbus IN This is the place I normally eat lunch. I love B&B and Spinach Mushrooms The food is delicious and very quick. Even if you have 1 hour lunch time, you can get the food right away. Vegitarian friendly. If you like spicy food. I would recommend you;)
(4)Adam S.
Passing through town we were looking for something quick. We stopped in and were greeted by friendly waitstaff, who offered to let us sample a few of the offerings. Each of us ordered something different and all of us enjoyed our meals. The food is well proportioned for lunch. Not too spicy and plenty of sauces for those that want more kick. Solid selection of beers. Bathrooms were nice and ladies room had a changing table with a stash of diapers. Definitely worth a visit.
(4)paul s.
Anything called Mock Shoe must be given a try!!! Yats is not what I expected....OK I don't know what I should have expected.... this place is simple, crisp and clean. decor reminds me of the quarter mixed with some Hoosier charm. the food is just as I remember it should be, full of flavor no need to add anything. but if you must they have more than enough fiery hot sauces for your pallet.... my favorite part... plastic forks and Styrofoam plates.. again reminds me of small places around the quarter. Mock Shoe and creamy crawfish ettouffe yes you can do 1/2 and 1/2. with a drink under a hamilton!! will come back and bring friends, but only the hungry ones!!
(5)Tara M.
I've lived in Indy for almost 4 years and had never been to Yats until Saturday. As a vegetarian cajun food didn't exactly call to me. On Saturday I found myself in Columbus, hungry, and so I made my way to the Yats in the Commons. They had three vegetarian options (two of which were vegan and gluten-free): 1. Mushroom and spinach etoufee (etoufee means that it has a butter and flour base) 2. Succotash with kidney beans, okra, and corn 3. Black bean something or other We went with an order of #1 and #2. Each was served on a styrofoam plate under a pile of rice and with a garlic toast. It was pretty tasty and great value at $6 a plate, but I probably won't hurry back. I'm personally not a big fan of that style of eating - a big glop of something on top of rice. It's the same reason why I don't like most Indian lunch buffets. But if you are a fan of that style of eating, you will probably like Yats a lot. There's lots of space so it's good for families, and they even have extra diapers in the women's restroom (major parent points for that).
(3)Kevin K.
Super Fast - it takes longer to wait in line than it does to get your food most days! Super Good - I've avoided the crawfish but everything else has been stellar. Super Well Prices - under $8 out the door for a plate of food, bread and a drink. Deal! Can't wait to go back and eat their yummy food. My only "complaint" - I wish they made more jambalaya as they run out almost every day!
(5)Matthew D J.
Great food & beer! Always consistent. Super friendly staff & gracious owners. Highly recommended when visiting downtown Columbus, IN.
(5)Cruz B.
This restaurant is very good at what it does, which is Cajun food that is fast and tasty. The people are nice and they have good beers on tap if you're stopping by after work for a bite. You can get plenty of food and a drink for less than $10. Can't beat it.
(5)