Gumbo Ya Ya

12/30/25 & 1/21/26 My husband and I have been to Gumbo YaYa twice now, and it has been consistently delicious both times. We ordered the Maque Choux and the Hog Wild Red Chili this recent visit and did a half-and-half combo with extra garlic bread (highly recommend for soaking up every last bite). We chose rice as our base, but they also offer grits, pasta, or jambalaya. Make sure you ask to sample a few options before committing to your option Everything was flavorful, hearty, and clearly made with care. The staff is incredibly friendly and very patient especially with me asking a million questions about their various spice levels in their dishes. For dessert, we tried the bread pudding, which was good, but the peanut butter pie was absolutely amazing, it didn’t even make it home before it was gone. They do have beer options here as well. The ambiance inside is very casual and inviting, making it a perfect spot for a relaxed meal. We will definitely be coming back again and again. Highly recommend!

Absolutely amazing! I haven't had Cajun food like this since I was in New Orleans. The portions are absolutely enormous and totally affordable. I got the etouffee and Maque Choux, and they were incredible. I ate and ate and seemed like I never even made a dent in my food. The service was super fast as well.

Stopped in for Mardi Gras and the Alligator Étouffée. Food's good, atmosphere's stellar, service is top-notch. They're a great restaurant year-round, but they really do it up for Fat Tuesday. Love the decorations, the free beads and wristbands, and the complimentary slice of in-house, scratch-made King Cake. Maybe next year I'll finally find the Baby!!

I've been eating at Yayas for 20 years and it remains a treat. Generous portion of tasty food at a great price. The Yatwitch and Maque Choux are must tries if you've never had them.

All of their food is delicious, especially the grits. Easily the best grits I've ever had. They're creamy, smooth, and very nice to pair with any of their entrees. I personally recommend the shrimp and lobster creole and maque choux. Both over grits, of course. You won't regret it.

You cannot go wrong here. I got a full order of the drunk chicken over rice. My wife had the gumbo over rice and we split an order of Maque Choux over pasta. First off, the portions are HUGE, like I am a big dude that can get run off a buffet and one order fills me up. The drunk chicken is hands down my favorite with plenty of flavor and heat to back it up. The gumbo is DEVINE, succulent andouile sausage with the shrimp knocks it out of the park. Plus each order had two pieces of perfectly seasoned garlic bread 👌👌👌 I went 30 minutes out of my way to let my wife try the closets thing to sitting on the bayou eating creole. 11 out of 10. if you're in the area you need to stop here.

Their food is excellent with good flavor, portions, and spicier options if you want them. Seem to always have vegetarian options on the menu. Ale8 ON TAP!! Also has a good variety of bottled sodas. Haven't had any entrées here that we didn't like. Food comes out quick and the restaurant is clean and easy to get to. Tons of parking.

Delicious 😋. Friendly service from kitchen and counter staff. You can tell they take pride in their food and that is a rare find these days. Also great portion sizes and reasonably priced. And the samples really help you from making the wrong choice. I had the pazole stew and chicken creole. Great choice. I like spice but not hot spice and this was the perfect level.

My history with Gumbo Ya Ya goes back to 2014, which was my very first trip to Lexington. My then boyfriend, now Hubby, introduced me to one of his favorite local spots. He grew in the area and we can't get anything like this in SoCal. Here is my OG review for that location: https://www.yelp.com/biz/gumbo-ya-ya-lexington?hrid=5F5j3n4_G5d_JwDNegMblA&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) Although the Lexington location had since closed, Hubby is happy that this Nicholasville location exists. We first visited this location in Oct 2024. Our most recent visit was Oct 2025. Between these two visits, I've enjoyed whatever rotating vegan option was available. Last year's visit offered a Succotash, which is a spicy bean sauce, red beans, corn, tomatoes, okra, bell peppers, garlic, and onion. https://bit.ly/3LTLAlv This year's visit was the California Creole made with broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes, garlic, green onions, and green peppers mixed in a white wine red sauce. A surprising ingredient, fresh OJ. Yum! https://bit.ly/4nRj3KV There are two sizes available, and the smaller size is already a generous portion. The bases are either pasta or rice. It also comes with a garlic bread which staff says is made with oil. Quick service order at the counter. The dining room is fairly large. I wouldn't mind coming back to check out the rotating vegan option every time.

We stopped in to try Gumbo Yaya after discovering they have gluten free options. They were displayed on the menu which is very appreciated! We ordered the 3 gf options- jambalaya, red beans, and the white chicken chili. The first meal came out with bread on top but they quickly fixed the error. Jambalaya was 3/5- was pretty dry but some salt and Crystal fixed it up! The red beans and white chili were 5 star! Grits were some Of the best we have had out. The chips were an odd side which we didn't eat. A suggestion for a better gf side option or providing GF bread would be amazing! Overall a great experience and cool Ambiance. Will definitely be back for the white chili and grits!

Food (drunken chicken) was better than expected. Delicious blend of spices & creamy sauce but not too powerful! 10/10 and I do think it's better than BB&T big fan of both Garlic bread was so buttery & SOFT, how I prefer it. Garlic hot sauce 10/10

Stopped in at Gumbo Ya Ya yesterday for a quick lunch. Got my order very quick. Tried their Drunken Chicken. Their small plate is more than enough for one person, a heaping plate with the Drunken Chicken served over a bed of white rice. The spices and flavor were good. The chicken is finely shredded. There was some type of green vegetable in the mix that was tough and chewy. When I saw tomatoes in the mix, I was expecting some small diced pieces of tomatoes, but the chunks of tomatoes were quite large. I was not a fan of the green vegetable or the large tomato chunks. It was served with 2 slices of dirty bread/garlic bread. The bread was very good. For the portion you get, $13 which included tip, was not a bad deal. Next time I will try their shrimp and lobster etouffee.

This is truly a hidden gem located right outside of Lexington. Not sure if hidden gem is the best term as many people know about Gumbo Ya Ya, but the price, food quality, and service are truly impeccable compared to most restaurants around Lexington. I've tried their Gumbo, Jambalaya, and Maque Choux all of which were DELICIOUS. Everything is always fresh, rice is good perfectly, and pasta is wonderful. The service is quick as well, even when busier. Also, each dish comes with garlic bread! The vibes are always welcoming. There is enough space to accommodate families or large gatherings.

Incredible food with such deep, authentic flavors at a great value. You HAVE to try it, even if you don't like it traditionally, they keep enough flavors on hand that you will find something. Oh, and did I mention FREE SAMPLES!?

Might be the most reliable spot in the greater Lexington area. Always delicious. The staff is friendly and always happy to give samples of anything on their menu (much of which is rotating) and will remember you if you're a regular. The atmosphere is great too, a lot of tables and they're good about keeping them clean and the music fits the vibe and is never too loud. Can't recommend them enough. Try getting your order over jambalaya or grits sometime, they're worth it.

It was much better than the nasty Bourbon and Toulouse in town, but that's not saying much. I had 1/2 red beans and rice and 1/2 gumbo. Neither had any real flavor. Certainly didn't taste anything like the food in New Orleans. If you've never had good Cajun then this might be okay for you. But if you've been to The Big Easy, then this will be a big disappointment.

I still can't wrap my head around Gumbo Ya Ya's Jambalaya. It always needs a dose of hot sauce to kick up the flavor. This time, thankfully, it didn't have the usual big chunks of chicken which is not at all appetizing. Plenty of sausage. Still, it's just not very good. 1

This is a must go in Lexington - amazing Cajun food. Keep in mind - you will be stuffed and it can ruin your whole day but the experience of eating it is amazing. Also get the bread pudding. Just do it.

We have visited here several times and the food is always great. The specials change frequently, but you can check the current menu online before you go. Hot sauces are served on the side so you can customize your desired level of heat. The portion sizes are generous! The small size is perfect, but if you can't make up your mind what you want, order a large and get half and half. Problem solved! All of the Cajun dishes are served with rice or noodles and come with bread or tortilla chips. During the Covid era, staff is wearing masks and the seating has been arranged to accommodate social distancing. If you need a little spice in your life, Gumbo Ya Ya is the place to go!

So today I stopped in for a yatwich got my wife chicken etouffee. Got the order couldn't wait to take a bite of the yatwich. My wife took one note of the etouffee and immediately was grossed out I took a bite and I to was grossed out it had a sour taste. I immediately went back inside was very polite and nice and asked if maybe it got mixed with something. The shorter bald guy with glasses said no one else has complained I asked him to taste it he went to the back to taste it and said it's fine. He asked me if I've had their etouffee before I told him yes many times. He stood there in a awkward silence just looking at the floor not trying to help me solve the situation I wasn't going to eat the etouffee because it tasted wrong so what was he going to do to solve the situation. The answer nothing just stood there silently as to say what do you want me to do about it. So I turned and walked away leaving the food on the counter which only had two bites out of it. I would understand if it was half eaten or something. I will never eat here again which is unfortunate because I will never have another yatwich. But this was horrible customer service and no way to treat a paying customer. I can see now why so many people prefer bourbon Toulouse

This place has delicious food and service was good. Food came out quickly! Limited menu but tasty food. Delicious flavors! Had the gumbo and drunkin chicken yum! Pecan cookie was a but too sugary/sweet. Whiskey bread pudding was bomb! Garlic bread was really good! Would give it 4.5 if i could

The best grits in town, holy cow! Also if they ever have the Chicken Fricassee - run, don't walk. It's all SO good! Love this place!

Ok I have to post about Gumbo YaYa. I wanted something different for dinner last night and after working late I wanted something quick. I was sick of what I usually get so I was trying to think of something different. I settled on Gumbo YaYa in Brannon Crossing. I called to place my order while on my way home. They asked ME when I wanted my food ready. When I got there the food was hot and they had it boxed up for me. Friendly service throughout. When I got home, I didn't realize how BIG the portions are y'all! I got a large jumbalaya and a SMALL chicken creole (red right). I paid $16 for this and left a tip in cash for the cashier. This will last me enough food for the whole weekend. I was so shocked at the amount of food that I had to post about it. It was delicious too! Go check them out.

Fantastic! My first experience with jambalaya or gumbo. I was always afraid to try because I didn't want to be discouraged on a subpar place. Tried this place out since so many people said it was good. It was even better than I had hoped it would be. The guy taking orders was patient with how long I took to decide what I wanted and he answered my questions and provided explanations well. The dining area was comfortable, didn't feel tight between tables. The music was wonderful and at the perfect level. The price and portions were perfect! Might be my new favorite place, can't wait to go back!

Great Cajun food and selection, friendly staff and convenient location in Lexington. A nice stop for lunch or dinner.

Very good food at a reasonable price, you will appreciate the generous servings. i Really like the garlic sauce, I love it with the jambalaya. I had lost my sense of taste from cancer treatment. My tastebuds are rebounding, but not after I lost 60 lbs. this is where Gumbo ya ya comes in. most food at that time tasted like cardboard, very unappetizing; Gumbo ya ya was one of the few nearby restaurants that had the aromas that woke up my appetite and allowed me to regain some of the weight I lost.

I'm in Lexington for coursework and my favorite slurp shop got "Rona'd." I was casting around for some good food in my area and every restaurant looked like a restaurant in a box clone. Then I saw the Gumbo YaYa photos. The dining area is large, and has been arranged to maximize distance between folks. While waiting in line to order, the line chef was already asking what he could make for me. My food was sitting on the counter before I had finished paying. Both the cashier and cook were friendly, personable, and swift. I ordered the Chicken Piquant, and it gets perfect reviews. The rice was full and tender, the Piquant Sauce was beautifully layered for a pleasant, flavorful bite. It had a slight heat, the sort that keeps you taking bites to tamp down the warmth, but goes away very quickly when you stop. I should have skipped the hot sauce, it was fine, but the piquant stood up better on its own. My grandmother and father are from Lake Charles, Louisiana, and I grew up eating food straight from the bayou. Restaurant cajun and creole food rarely delivers, but I hVe nothing but praise for this joint. If I lived here, I'd be a regular diner. Service - perfect Food - perfect Atmosphere - great, comfortable Oh yeah! Ten bucks for the large plate of Piquant and an Ale81. I'd rather do this than high minded restaurant every day of the week.

A nice Cajun fix for a reasonable price. We get it take-out, but the Jambalaya doesn't last long in our house. Seem to have a nice selection of beers that I shall sample someday.

This is probably the best restaurant in Lexington/Nicholasville. The food is insanely good, the employees are all very nice, and the prices will make you think you traveled back in time. We've went every single week since we discovered it two months ago. Love it to death.

Quick and friendly service, huge portions for really affordable prices, and delicious food! The store is colorful and fun and they've got all the ale-8 flavors you could want on fountain! Not to mention a huge Pepsi fountain selection and a cooler full of bottled drinks! I got two small entrees and one large and my partner and I had leftovers for two more meals! The white chili and the gumbo were delicious and the bread pudding was incredible and moist without being too soggy. Will definitely be coming back here soon!

If you want a bunch of rice, this is your spot. Gumbo was lacking in flavor and protein. The sausage was sliced paper thin, chicken was barely in the mix but lots of miniature shrimp. I would not go out of my way to eat here again. Bourbon and Toulouse is much better and you can do half and half.

The food was amazing. So satisfying. I haven't had crawfish like that since mine and my cousins wedding

Always love the food and the service. Used to know the owner, so it's sad he's not there anymore, but the food is as good as it gets. Need to put one in Richmond.

I tried this for the first time and I can't wait to go back. I bought the small gumbo and I couldn't even finish the plate. Everyone was really friendly and made me feel welcomed , and I can't wait to try more of their menu

The food is good and the price is right. BUT this time the service was absolutely terrible. The person taking the order was rude and dismissive. When we got our orders, 2 out of the 4 orders were wrong. If this has been the first time we'd been there we wouldn't have come back.

First time eating here. The employees were very friendly and gave us plenty of samples to try before we decided on what to order. The bread pudding is really good. The Moch Shoe (not spelled correctly but pronounced that way) was really good. My wife got the vegetarian version of it because she is allergic to shellfish. The sandwich they serve is really good also. The wild boar is tasty. Our daughter loved the peanut butter pie but she thought everything else was to spicy. The garlic bread is tasty.

The food is good, it just taste bland. I don't like to have to use sauces to cover up the flavor of food, it should already be in the food. The sauce should enhance the food flavor. Definitely something good if you're in the mood for something fast. The employees are always friendly, and its in a nice location.

Excellent. Very comparable to another popular local Cajun place. Not as many choices in hot sauce but flavor is on point.

Meh. I'm not going to drop a long review, but I will just share that the flavors were light and uninspired. I have a good friend from Louisiana who cooks for me frequently, so that may pepper my opinion on the quality. Probably a fine restaurant for your standard Kentucky dweller who hasn't had the pleasure of true spicy Cajun food. Give it a go and you might love it, I just was personally unimpressed. That said, their bread pudding was unforgivably bad. Woof.

Gumbo Yaya has always been my favorite Cajun place in town. I like the option of getting my dish over pasta rather than the standard rice. They rotate their menu slightly but they usually have a creole option (turkey, chicken, or crawfish) which is my go to order. A few times a year when UK plays FL, they also offer an alligator dish which I feel obligated to eat to try and help the Cats win! All dishes are served with 2 slices of bread. Be sure to save room for dessert as they have a simple but good bread pudding and it's only $2.75. It does have a strong Bourbon sauce but I'm not a Bourbon fan and yet I still love it. They have Coca-Cola products but they also offer both Ale-8-One and Diet Ale-8-One.

I always love this place. Same quality food for years! I've been to 3 different locations spanning over 30 years and it never fails to satisfy. I used the homemade garlic hot sauce today too which was new for me and I LOVED it!!

Lots of food for the money! It was helpful to try samples before we ordered. Friendly service. Food came really quick. We needed to go boxes. Not as many sauce options. Only thing I noticed was spotty music, which is no big deal. Overall, good Cajun fix if you're in the area.

This restaurant knows exactly what it is and executed perfectly. Laid back atmosphere, quick and attentive staff, and most importantly incredible food. My favorites are the drunken chicken or any of their rotating crawfish dishes, but the portions are always huge and it is an amazing deal. *** ALWAYS upgrade to grits they are fantastic***

I loved it, my husband not so much. Fast food Cajun means everything cooked earlier in the day so just be prepared for that in all the dishes.

Went to Gumbo Ya Ya today. I was able to order immediately and sample items. Nothing was great. I ordered the Drunken Chicken. I have been to New Orleans and this is not close to the creole food is experienced. They have options of pasta and rice. I chose rice. The meal was not great nor was it terrible. I was underwhelmed. I do not think I will ever go back. Overall, disappointing experience.

The succotash had a very nice flavor, a little spice that doesn't overpower. The garlic hot sauce is just a bonus, and one I will make myself for hot wings!

Okay I have been in a years-long feud with a friend of mine regarding which of the local Cajun restaurants are superior. I have always preferred... the other restaurant, HOWEVER, the maque-choux here is something that I crave constantly. Though I thought I'd always hold my stance on this matter having grown up in Louisiana, I have to say, I think they're equally as good.

I've dined here several times lately and I always get the large plates with gumbo which is a hit to me and red beans and rice. I decided to change up and get the Maque Chox and I was not pleased at all. The noodles were too done and it was something about the taste that just didn't agree with me. I should have stuck with my red beans and rice but overall the gumbo was great as it always is.

Amazing food with huge portion for great price! Try some samples and find your favorite. I have been eating Gumbo YaYa's for year and every time I fly into Lexington this is my first stop.

Stopped here with my son and his girlfriend, Dec 22, while giving a short tour of Lexington. His girlfriend ordered the gumbo and she made a comment that it was a little bland. I ordered the red beans and rice and they gave a big portion, but it also needed a little help. My son made a comment that Zatarain's was better. Jambalaya was the last dish ordered and it also needed a little seasonings. Service was really great and friendly, maybe the chef was having an off day, it was the week before Christmas. The restaurant was located in a strip mall. It was clean and nicely decorated.

A great Cajun joint in south Lexington. Their specialty is probably the Maque Choux - get it over grits for the proper experience. The quality is consistent and the staff is friendly. Usually they have some classic Nawlins blues going over the speakers. Staff is friendly.

Food is delicious, service is fast and always friendly, highly recommend the Gumbo, cool atmosphere. Prices are decent definitely will be going back many more times.

My husband is from Louisiana so we have been exploring the Lexington area to try to find him a taste of home. We got maque choix (delicious!!), gumbo (also delicious) and shrimp creole (kinda bland). Very pleased overall with portions, taste, and prices and definitely will be back!!

My second home! This place is full of great people, great atmosphere, and (arguably the most important) GRETA FOOD! Do yourself a favor and get the Traditional Jambalaya and use the signature Gumbo YaYa Garlic sauce! It's a combo that will have you coming back as much as me!

This place was super cute, very Cajun like and very clean. He staff was super friendly and warming. They offered me samples of their food since it was my first time there. Everything was hot and fresh and amazing. I ended up going with the chicken etuffee. I paid $6.25 for a small plate which includes bread and is not very small. So good prices for a good amount of food. If you like Cajun or even if you've never had it, go check it out.

We had the best dinner tonight! 1/2 Jambalaya and Maque Choux and bread It was so good. Fast service, friendly and clean. Thank you

Consistently tasty. Always affordable. Always friendly. Always fresh and inventive. Can't ask for much more. My wife and I have been to both of their locations more than we can count and have never been disappointed. Personal choice: Yatwich Wife's choice: Maque Choux