Yats is a counter-serve Cajun and Creole restaurant at 1625 W University Ave in The Village, the shop-and-eatery strip at the edge of Ball State University’s campus. Part of an Indiana-born chain founded on New Orleans roots, it draws students, locals, and road-tripping food lovers with big, rice-based plates at budget prices.
You order at the counter from a chalkboard menu that rotates through sauces and stews, a format the company traces to its founder’s New Orleans background (Yats). Staff will often let you sample before you commit. Regular picks include the Drunken Chicken, crawfish étouffée, red beans and rice, jambalaya, and the off-kilter chili cheese étouffée. Each comes ladled over rice with a slice of buttered French bread. The “You Pick 2” option splits a plate between two dishes, and recent listings put bowls between about $7.95 and $9.25 (MenuXP). The room is casual and loud, with cheerful decor and quick turnover.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Lunch fills up fast when Ball State classes let out, and on home-game weekends the line can stretch. For a calmer meal, come mid-afternoon or during university breaks. The menu changes daily, so ask what’s on the board, and try a Pick 2 if you’re undecided. Afterward, you can walk to campus landmarks such as the David Owsley Museum of Art or browse the Village’s coffee shops. Confirm current hours before you go.
