Mudbugs Cajun Cafe
20 W Main St, Carmel, IN, 46032
Mudbugs Cajun Cafe Menu
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Po'boy Sandwiches
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Entrees
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Sides
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Desserts
Healthy Meal suggestions for Mudbugs Cajun Cafe
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Po'boy Sandwiches
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Entrees
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Sides
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Desserts
Visit below restaurant in Carmel for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Carmel for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
20 W Main St
Carmel, IN, 46032 - Phone (317) 843-8380
- Website https://www.mudbugscajuncafe.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
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Justin K.
I'm a big cajun food fan. A friend of my was born and raised in New Orleans, so I thought I'd take her there and let her see how it fared. She's previously expressed her strong distaste for Yats and I was curious to see how Mudbugs rated. We both left generally unimpressed- and my friend declared Yats the better of the two. The gumbo and etouffe was watery, the red beans and rice looked like they'd sat for too long, and the Po'Boys were all bread with not much inside. Then we found out why... During the lunch buffet, we saw one of the employees opening bags of pre-prepared food- which appeared to be bought in- and dumping them straight into the serving bins. So I wouldn't say they made mediocre food- I would say they serve mediocre food. However, the hushpuppies and remoulade are pretty tasty.
(2)Jason W.
So so good. Have to try the shrimp étouffée and the hush puppies!
(4)Andy W.
Mudbugs is a refreshing change to Carmel's "old town" area. It's easy to compare it to other New Orleans style places around Indianapolis like Yats and Gumbo A-Go-Go (which are also great places) but Mudbugs branches out a little further with its delicious Corn Fritters, Crawfish Casserole, and assortment of Po' Boy Sandwiches. Don't be mistaken, creole style food isn't for everyone. If you are sensitive to spicy food or don't generally like sauce-and-rice dishes, you probably won't like Mudbugs. I, for one, love this kind of food and think Mudbugs is a great alternative to your typical Carmel lunch. Recommendations: Corn Fritters, Gumbo
(5)Lisa S.
I have been going to Mudbugs for 5 years. Every Saturday I stop in for a bite and a visit with the owners....they are so wonderful!! Service is very personal and attentive....the portions are generous and the atmosphere is very festive! Please try Mudbugs for a wonderful change of pace. Don't miss the hushpuppies, the black eyed pea vegetarian dish and they have awesome crawfish casserole.
(5)Todd R.
To Whom It May Concern: Mudbugs has almost 40 filtered reviews from the same spammer, who is most likely the owner, employees, or friends of the owners/employees. A disclaimer: I've never tried the food here, but thanks to the owner's and his or her employees' tasteless abuse of a legit opinion website, "Eek! Methinks not!" is exactly what I'm thinking. Good job on driving me (and probably countless others) away from even trying you. The more honest reviews weren't bad for you either. Oh, and BTW, using the same spam accounts to put up negative reviews of your competition (Yats) is downright disgusting and simply ugly. I only reserve one star reviews for the worst of America, and your business practices give capitalism and free enterprise a bad name. Please stop, and maybe you might not get your own ish thrown back in your face. Sincerely, A real Yelp reviewer (and probably the rest of Yelp!)
(1)Audra L.
I happen to love this restaurant. My boyfriend and I really like Cajun and Creole food of all types and we always make it a point to stop here whenever we are in Carmel. I am genuinely shocked by the negative reviews here because I've always had a pleasant experience. The food is delicious. I always get the pick three and mix it up. My favorite is the shrimp etoufee. My boyfriend is a big fan of the all-you-can-eat gumbo they sometimes have. The hushpuppies are pretty flipping delicious as well. I would like to try the beignets but I'm always too full to order any. They occasionally serve alligator, which I would also like to try one day. The food is flavorful but not overly spicy. However, if you're the kind of person who likes your mouth flaming hot there's plenty of creole seasoning and hot sauce at your disposal. What I really, really love about this restaurant, though, and what keeps me coming back is the service. Every time I have been the owner/chef has been working and he is pretty much awesome. The first time I went, he helped me make my food selections then he came out to my table later to ask me how I liked it. He has personally interacted with me and my boyfriend nearly every, if not every, time we have been there. He's always smiling and helpful and seems to take such pride in his job and his restaurant. I feel welcome at Mudbugs. I feel comfortable and I feel like they genuinely appreciate my business, which is something I feel is very hard to come by these days. I enjoy supporting small businesses especially one where it's clear they are passionate about what they do. This is a top-notch establishment I would recommend to anyone. ***Update*** I have since tried the alligator po' boy and the beignets and both are delicious!! Also, did I mention the hushpuppies? Amazing.
(5)Jason W.
Excellent lunch stop. I'm a big fan of other local favorite Yat's. Mudbugs was just as good. The only knocks are that the side bread isn't as good as Yats and Mudbugs doesn't provide much rice per dish. That being said, the actual dishes were fantastic. Their crawfish casserole and shrimp étouffée were both very good. I look forward to future visits and also trying their beignets
(4)BJ S.
I almost didn't go to Mudbugs because I was distracted by the 3.5 star rating. I can be a bit of a snob when it comes to trusting Yelp reviews (typically don't go places with less than 4 stars). I really wanted Cajun food, though, so my wife and I went to Mudbugs. It was great! Highly recommend the shrimp étouffée and the shrimp po boys! Give it a try and don't miss an opportunity for good Cajun food!
(5)Jason L.
This place is great. I had a pick 3. I chose the gumbo, crawfish casserole, and half a shrimp po boy. Everything was great. Spicy but not too spicy. I could tell the gumbo was done right. They spent a lot of time on the roux. This is a great place to dine. They also serve craft beer. That's a plus in my book.
(4)DeAnna P.
I am not a big Cajun fan, but I liked just about everything I tried here. That's right, TRIED. Because if you have never been there, they give you a sample plate. And I love that the instructions were -- if you can't remember what it is and you want it, just leave a little in the cup and point! Several tables are outside in the heart of Carmel's art district, so it was fun to be there on Second Saturday to people watch. You order at the counter, then grab a seat, but the servers were still good about checking on you and getting any requests you needed (ketchup for my hushpuppies? yes, please!). Hubster and I split the fried catfish with hushpuppies and the pick-three. They had a pulled pork with "gravy" and rice. The gravy was more like an au jus than what I think of as gravy, and that was fine with me. It was hands down the best entree I had. Second best was the chicken courtbouillon (pronounced "coo bee yon" if you don't want to sound dorktastic ordering it like I did). There is also a huge beer selection. Best of all, they have beignets. They were not the best I have ever had, but they were very good. And it was nice that ever though we ordered them at the counter, when they brought our entrees, they asked if we wanted them to serve them as dessert later, rather than with the meal. Fantastic meal and service, can't wait for the next Second Saturday to go back! One more thing to point out -- go here even if you aren't a chilihead. While flavorful, things are not spicy at all. I had to douse my dishes with hot sauce.
(4)Nicole M.
The catfish poboy, potato salad and hush puppies were so good! I usually don't like any of the three and decided to give this place a try. It was definitely worth the visit. The staff is nice, the scenery is great and the food is mouth watering. I'm leaving to head back home to Chicago tomorrow and my mouth has been watering for more of this place since yesterday. I wish they had a chain!
(5)Laura S.
Some of the best Cajun food we had ever eaten, including Louisiana. The owner brought us a complimentary sampler platter of nine entrees so we could decide what to order. All of the offerings were delicious which made the choice even harder. All three of us ordered the Pick 3 Combo and we all chose different items. The food and service were well worth the price. If we are ever back in the area we will definitely return.
(5)Ande H.
Over the last few months I've been hearing more and more people talk about how disgusted they were with Mudbugs. I just stood back and let them vent. I knew how important it was for them to let out how horrible the place was. I could relate with everything that at least a dozen people had talked about. How the service was pathetic. How dirty the place was. How they hardly got any seafood or no seafood at all in their seafood gumbo. How soupy the jambalaya and crawfish casserole is. The majority of people even chuckled about the hush puppies. Saying they had to spit them out into their napkin. One person even added they almost spit it out on the floor because it would have blended in with the filth. It is just sad that this place is taking up good space in downtown Carmel.
(1)B W.
One of the bright spots on Carmel's busy Main Street, Mudbugs always offers good, hot food with wonderful service. Ask about the sampler platter if you are a first-time visitor, and don't forget to order the hushpuppies!
(4)Christine B.
You know it's crazy, when I was a little kid, I turned my nose up every time my mom made cajun food. Now that I'm older and my palate has matured, I can't get enough of it. My coworkers and I ordered take-out from here for lunch today and I am very pleased. I ordered a small crawfish casserole with an order of hush puppies. Both are amazing and very flavorful. This sauce that they gave me for the hush puppies should honestly be condiment of the year. I can completely understand why they won awards for this casserole too. It is soo good. The crawfish is tender and it's all brusting with flvaor. For me, a small size entree and order of hush puppies is plenty enough food. There is no way I could finish a regular size. I think this place is also fairly priced. The cafe is cute on the inside and even smells spicy. They also serve beer and wine inside. I'm a fan and I'll be back! I don't think I can compare it to Yats as of now because I haven't had Yats for about 5 years. Very very very good! All of my coworkers liked their food too!
(5)Reed T.
Absolutely delicious. In town working and found this little slice of creole heaven. Not fancy by any stretch, just good food.
(4)Lisa M.
Our first time at Mud Bugs was for lunch this week and it was fun, we were welcomed by very friendly owner & staff and the food was tasty. Since we had not been there before, we were given samples of all the dishes. So hard to choose! Annie's Casserole was terrific but I had a BBQ Pork Po' Boy sandwich and dirty rice. Portions are large. Friends enjoyed the fried catfish basket and an oyster Po' Boy sandwich. The hush puppies are yummy. We were given free beignets for dessert. Cute decor in the small cafe. Cajun tunes. We loved our fun experience. Nicest restaurant owner I've ever met.
(4)Arnold P.
Good cajun food here, the portions are a little small but packed with flavor. I recommend the dirty rice!
(3)Katrina J.
Stopped in for a quick take out. Ordered the black eyed peas jambalaya. Asked if it was really spicy. Server said no, you can add your own spice. I have a medium spice tolerance and it is so hot after 3 bites my lips are on fire. But my bigger complaint is that it's is a small portion for $6.95 and it's ALL RICE. It's a bowl full of seasoned rice with a few, very few peas or vegetables! What a rip off!
(1)Dara H.
We love Mudbugs Cajun Cafe!! On this visit it was gator day. A few times a year they serve gator. They have gator chili, gator & sausage jambalaya & gator po' boys. I crave the gator chili... It is a red chili with kidney beans and gator.It also come with 2 pieces of sliced baguette. A regular bowl is $8.95 and $4.95 for a small. Kyle got a small gator chili and a small gator & sausage jambalaya. We also got a order of hush-puppies. They are a must for me, Kyle is not a fan. For dessert was got 4 beignets aka Cajun donuts. They were so good. They are deep fried dough with a half of a inch of powdered sugar on top. They also have a cinnamon sugar or a chocolate sugar you can put on them yourself. The table next to us just got beignets and coffee. So they are worth the trip. So I say if you are in Carmel in the Arts district stop in and say hi to the Ragin Cajun Roy & his wife Princess. I know we will.
(5)Teresa C.
Love the location. The food is excellent and fresh. I had a special that was creamy tomato-y chicken over fried catfish. Don't hate me, I can't pronounce the name of the dish. It was dare I say- better than Yats. I can't believe I waited this long to try this place!
(5)Cameron T.
The food here was pretty good. I'm not a huge Cajun person but for me it was pretty tasty. Plus, the service was wonderful. Because it was my first time, they gave me a free sample plate of everything on the menu before I ordered.
(3)Tricia S.
I absolutely love the food at this little cafe. The best Cajun/creole that can be found. Way better than Yats. The owner is always here and dedicated to the food. Had the Southern Catfish basket with hush puppies and cole slaw. Omgoodness. Yumm. I usually get the Chicken Courbullion. Amazing food if you love Cajun.
(5)Marc F.
I'm a Hoosier. I love Cajun food. Hell, I love any kind of ethnic/specialty food that breaks the monotony of Midwest meat and potatoes. My ex wife and I even honeymooned in Nola to soak in the culture and cuisine of the area. That being said, every restaurant that we went to while there wasn't the most incredible food experience we ever had, and to think every place is magical is a gross misinterpretation of fact. This brings me to Mudbugs. I went there for the first time today, and I was very pleased with the gumbo. It wasn't spicy at all, but the depth of flavor really brought back the memories of the cuisine down in Louisiana. I agree with previous reviewers that understand the limits of the average Midwestern palate. What this place represents is a symbol of the Gulf flavors that is still marketable to those who weren't raised with it. I will be back to try more from the menu. The gentleman at the counter was quite helpful in the first-timer tour (although i didn't know about the sampling until I had already ordered), and the prices are very reasonable. So, you keep paying $9 for the same ridiculo-burger and fries. I'll come here and pay the same amount for some memories of one of my favorite vacations and a good quality meal at the same time.
(4)April S.
My food was tastey. Red beans and rice authentic. Pork Po' Boy tender, juicy and flavorful. I didn't make it to the Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya...but plan to have it for dunner. I am absolutely stuffed and satisfied. Atmosphere clean, friendly and fast.
(5)Peter P.
This is such a cool place right on Main St in the Arts District of Carmel. The staff is super-friendly and very knowledgeable about their food. If you don't know what to order (there are a lot of items on the menu), you can request a sampler platter to help you make your decision (just be sure you don't get too full!). My favorites: pulled pork, chicken & sausage gumbo, chicken courtbouillon. And no Cajun restaurant is complete without serving Abita beer. They stock 2 of my favorites: Turbo Dog and Purple Haze. Don't forget to order the classic New Orleans sweets....beignets. They don't have chicory coffee; however, they did brew a mean pot of French Roast for me with Cafe du Monde beans.
(4)Nathan B.
Mudbugs is a simple restaurant but it is so good. If you like Cajun food then you owe it to yourself to give it a shot. If you don't like Cajun food then you should try it anyway. My favorite dish they have is the Shrimp Étouffée. It is one of my favorite things to eat anywhere. It's not as spicy as I'd like, but most places aren't.
(4)The Yelp-inator W.
Nice guy running this place. Good location....fun atmosphere Decent service. Crawfish casserole....yummy good stuff !!! Red beans and rice.... almost true to style. The Shrimp PoBoy ....fair..but not quite right. Hushpuppies......these are mediocre at best....Oh how I miss my mother in-laws He has several samples of different types of Cajun seasonings Which he also sells and there is hot sauce and seasoning on tables so I do not understand why some reviewers complains about a "lack of kick or seasoning". He sells jack Millers Cajun BBQ sauce here... that is awesome...I love this stuff.
(4)Carolyn W.
When I want Cajun/Creole this is the place. Yay Abita. Yay Po'Boys. Yay etouffe. Yay beignets. Yay hushpuppies.... I haven't ever been disappointed with the food or the service here. This is the real deal, homestyle Cajun. This is a family owned and operated business. And, yes, they are happy to give you a sample rather than try to describe and answer questions that may or may not be pertinent. The red beans and rice are the real deal. As far as being authentic Cajun...I have eaten all over the South, these are home-style recipes from Louisiana. You can add your chili sauce and hot sauces to spice them up, but generally, hot doesn't make for good Cajun, the roux and remoulade do. They have a very nice roux here: dark, smoky, yum. If you are looking for great, straight-forward, Cajun, then this is the place to go. We love 'gator days. And...they have perfect oyster po' boys...I am very picky about these (fried hard and plump and juicy). They aren't always on the menu due to availability. And, yes...if it isn't fresh, they don't serve it. If you want to see the history, you can enjoy the video here: ibj.com/articles/28822-i… . Mudbugs is a true diner. Finally, for the Yats comparison, I can't go there because I am not a fan of Yats. I have yet to have a decent experience (out of food, a really big hair in food, dried out sauce food, and not really Cajun food, we aren't serving any now we are busy talking...).
(4)Chris S.
I've been wanting to try Mudbugs for over a year now. Decided to take the family out to try it. It was OK with me, but my family loved it. I would have to agree with the other reviewers. It does need a little more kick to please me. I went with the Monday special pick 2 combo and had the Chicken and sausage Gumbo with half a Shrimp Po' Boy. Not much shrimp on the Po' Boy. Not sure if that was because of the price the special was at (6.95) or the fact that it's called a Po' Boy. I've had a better Shrimp Po' Boy at Popeye's. On another note the Beignets are TERRIFIC! Don't pass these up! Regardless of my 3 star rating I will return.
(3)Kurt T.
Great place for Cajun in Indiana. The prices are fair. Portions are decent and service is good. When I'm in town I generally make it a point to stop in for lunch.
(4)Scott N.
I went to MudBugs on some very strong recommendations from friends and family. I have to say that it does not disappoint. While I have not had much in my life in the way of authentic Cajun cuisine, the food at MudBugs is simply good food, regardless of intended origin or style. My group had Po'Boys and they were quite tasty. The employees were friendly and the service was quick. I look forward to trying the rest of their extensive menu and I hope that Mudbugs continues to impress my palate.
(4)Jemmie W.
It's very difficult writing reviews for restaurants like this in a place like central Indiana because if it were more authentic, it would shut down in a few weeks because of the relatively bland palate of the locals. This is my most objective review. I lived in Texas for three years where there is some pretty good cajun food and I have been to New Orleans four times. Those are my data points. Positives: -The portions are generous. -Service is personal and attentive. It looked like the owner(s) was in the house. -Decent selection of basic cajun fare. Negatives: -Food is bland compared to authentic Cajun food. I attribute this to the targeted audience (central Indiana residents) than to the lack of skill on the part of the operators. -Didn't have something as basic as boiled crawfish (again, I attribute this to the targeted audience rather than the operators). Let's just say it - there's not a sufficient audience for authentic Cajun food in central Indiana, and that is why Yats and Mudbugs have to really tone it down. One of the most authentic spicy ethnic restaurants in town is Sichuan, and, besides their weekday lunch buffet (which is about the same price as a burger, fries, and drink at Burger King), the place can be very empty at other times. And there is a much larger ethnic Chinese population in Carmel than ethnic Cajun population. Thus the four stars. If you compare this to authentic Cajun restaurants in Louisiana, you'll be very disappointed. But if you really take a step back and ask yourself if it's possible for those authentic Cajun restaurants to make it in central Indiana, you might be glad there is at least a watered-down Cajun restaurant like Mudbugs (or Yats).
(4)Krista R.
Loved the big menu at Mudbugs, an option most of the Cajun restaurants in central IN lack. The owner took my order and was a nice guy -- I love supporting local business. However, my shrimp etouffee dish was a under-spiced and definitely under-shrimped. The roux (sauce) wasn't as creamy as I'm accustomed to. For $7.95, the "small" portion (which is indeed quite small) seemed a tad over-priced. My side of hushpuppies was huge and hot, but again, a bit bland. I wouldn't rule out Mudbugs if I'm in the Arts and Design District, but I won't drive out of the way to eat here again. Next time I would try the Pick 3 Sampler for $9.95... or just stick with the spicier and better valued options at Gumbo A Go Go.
(2)Liz H.
A nice little place located in downtown Carmel. The decore is a little cheesy but that is half the fun of the place. Walk up to the counter and read over the hand written menus, regular and daily. Love their etouffee, crawfish casserole and courtbullion as my choices for the pick 3. Hushpuppies are good too, crisp and light for being fried with a little corn mixed into them. The po'boys are ok, but I think the bread is a little thick making it seem slightly dry even though it shouldn't be. The beignets are little clouds of heaven. And if you don't know what you want ask for a sample plate, which gives you a little of everything. The staff is always very friendly and happy to chit chat. Greet their regulars by name. The down side is they are not as spicy as I am used to for cajun food. However I can understand why given the area and people's lack of will to try something new. But to help make up for it all the tables are set with an assortment of seasoning and sauces you can add if you wish to kick things up a notch if you are so inclined.
(4)Willie S.
I like the place. Owner is a good guy. Not a high service facility but very friendly. I really like the crawfish casserole - not tried the po boy - my wife likes the hush puppies. The reviews of this place and Yats are reasonably corrupted by silly ass disputes. I find both places reasonable and different places to eat. Try both - you will each prefer one and then go there in the future. Writing one star reviews is just not very helpful - this is not a one star place.
(4)Kim O.
Wow is this place getting an undeserved bum rap from yelpers! I have lived down the street from Mud Bugs for the past few months and actually haven't tried it because the yelp reviews had me scared. Silly me! We finally tried Mud Bugs for the first time today & I will definitely be back. The word 'Bland' came up quite a bit in past reviews & I think that is really unfair. I like my food very spicy & although the food at Mud Bugs doesn't fit that bill, it's still very tasty. We tried the 'pick 3', which is an awesome deal. $10 got us crawfish casserole, sausage and chicken gumbo & jambalaya. We also tried the catfish po 'boy. Loved the po 'boy. My favorite of the pick 3 was the crawfish casserole. The gumbo was very tasty. I might skip the jambalaya. Love the casual atmosphere. Good Cajun music playing. Super laid back. I recommend you give mud bugs a try if your in the neighborhood and want a tasty casual meal.
(4)David B.
Although a bit pricy my food has always been great! Some of the negative reviews posted here are bogus. I do love Yats but find Mudbugs to be a nice alternative. Smaller portions but the food is always great. The etouffee and jambalaya are always solid and you can't go wrong with any of the regular dishes. For desert you can get some beignets and Cafe du Monde coffee. Good stuff!
(4)Leslie H.
Definitely try the chicken po-boy. My favorite though is their beignet. It's so good and reminds me of Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans. It was so good my hubby and I split the 8 pieces they served.
(4)Tommy J.
Let me just say this. If this place was in the South, it would be okay at best. But this isn't. This is the Midwest of the Midwest. So I'm giving it a 4 star because these people have pushed it to the very point of being as Cajun/NOLA/Southern as they can with the demographic thats around. Anything more involving fried oysters, more crawfish, more fried anything, hard cajun spices, LSU and Saints decor, the locals wouldn't come. So I give them a thumps up for making it as close as Carmel-Indy will allow to stay in business. Now the food, its good. Not awesome, but I don't expect it to be. I had the pick three; Crawfish Casserole, Gumbo and Jambalaya. All fair sizes, all had a little kick. I would go again on my way through Carmel. More of a lunch place than dinner, but thats up to you. I hope they stay open and continue to grow. Laissez les bons temps rouler !
(4)Matt A.
I'm going to have to go with the 4 stars here. Mudbugs has provided some needed diversity to the lunch scene in Carmel. I have had the Jambalaya, Gumbo and even the crayfish casserole. All pretty good. I think I have been wanting a little more spice in the dishes though. However, with the hot sauce on the table, I can barely complain. Today for lunch I had the BBQ Pulled Pork Po Boy. I think this is the best thing I've had. For now, Mudbugs is saying in my top ten for Carmel weekday lunches.
(4)Cody D.
My girlfriend and I stopped into Mudbugs on a cold, rainy Sunday for a quick lunch while we were out exploring the Carmel Arts and Design District. This place hit the spot in several ways. I have included a few highlights below to explain what we liked about this restaurant: First and foremost, as should any soul food restaurant - it warmed us up in all the best ways! The decor was cozy/engaging, the dining area was clean, the staff was friendly and the food was good and hot. As a massive food addict, I look for and respect any restaurant that offers all of these comfort points. Second, the owner offered us a sizable sample platter (7 entree samples along with a split hush puppy) so that we could make an educated lunch decision. This was a great touch, and gave us an opportunity to find their strong points while contrasting them to other local Cajun shoppes. The items that stood out to me were their dirty rice, Crawfish casserole and the Shrimp Etouffee. These flavors created a very enjoyable 'Pick 3' experience. My partner went with a BBQ pork Po'Boy, which she was really happy with. Plus, we topped off our dining experience with an extra order of hush puppies...we couldn't resist. I would highly recommend any of these dishes. Last, the portions were very generous and the prices were reasonable. For around $20.00, the two of us ate ourselves silly in the shop and had enough leftovers for lunch on Monday. My girlfriend was so excited about the leftovers that, at one point while we were getting ready for work on Monday morning, she said something along the lines of "...you know what helps make today a little less dreadful? The Cajun leftovers in the fridge." True story. All in all, my girlfriend and I had a good experience at Mudbugs which places them soundly on my 'Top 3 Cajun restaurant' podium alongside Yats and Papa Roux. We will certainly return, and I hope this review will inspire you to stop in as well!
(4)Nina J.
Very interesting to read other reviews after we've already been here three times... we are not affiliated in any way with owners or employees. We've never been to New Orleans and don't like Jambalaya. We do, however, love good Gumbo and have come back specifically for the Chicken & Sausage Gumbo at Mudbugs. Spicy, but not too much, and love the sausage. I would buy the Gumbo by the bucket. Hushpuppies: seemed popular, but I view all hushpuppies as bland fillers. Cafe' Mocha was good and authentically strong, though a little pricey for the portion. We enjoyed splitting a serving of fresh beignets and drinking our specialty coffees at the window stools so we could watch the District traffic. Mardi Gras Special: We enjoyed our special-order King Cake from Mudbugs this year. It was pricier than one from the grocery and smaller, but it was worth it. It tasted like I had just made it at home with the freshest ingredients instead of the dried-out cakes from the grocery store. This fresh cinnamon treat was devoured by my picky daughters.
(3)Mark G.
My wife and I like this place. We have been 3 times since June. We have had good service every time. The owner is pleasant and accommodating. We enjoyed the Cajun music while we dined. I have had the shrimp po-boy, Cajun catfish, and the sampler platter. It was all good. The shrimp po-boy could use some more shrimp imho. My wife likes the dirty rice plate. The hush puppies were tasty and plentiful. We will be back.
(4)Adrienne M.
This is the best Cajun/Creole food I've tasted ever! And being in Indiana, you don't think you'll find something this amazing. Every time I go, I am constantly amazed by the taste of this food, the impeccable service, and the wonderful decor. I feel like I'm in NOLA! Roy, the owner, and his wife Belinda, are amazing people, so nice and down-to-earth. They always come see how the customers are doing and get to know them as well. I moved to Philly about a year ago and always come home to get Mudbugs... Haven't found a comparable place yet! It doesn't get any better than THIS!
(5)Mia M.
Mudbugs (a nickname for those tasty little mini-lobsters known as crawfish) is fairly new to Carmel. Everyone I've talked to about this place hasn't heard of it yet. Unfortunate, because it's fantastic! The portions are huge, the food is delicious and the service is top-notch. Whenever there's something new that's coming on the menu (which changes slightly every day/week), our server always brings us some to try and review. Love this place. ETA: I think some of Yats' diehard fans see this place as an abomination to the art of Creole food. I don't care if it's different than what you get in New Orleans - I mean, any "ethnic" food is going to be different when it's served somewhere other than the place it originated. Mudbugs is inexpensive, filling and tasty, and the restaurant is clean and run by some top-notch proprietors and staff... so to the naysayers, go eat your chili-cheese etoufee and buck up.
(5)Nature N.
I took my wife and son out for dinner and ended up at MudBugs. A pleasant meal was has by all. The red beans and rice were delicious. As well and the Shrimp Po Boy. But my favorite dish was the Chicken Courtboulion. Spiced just right with fantastic side of Hush Puppies. We will be going back soon- and with more people!
(4)Nick C.
I went for lunch during the week. The place had a good atmosphere and the staff was very friendly and helpful. The food was just OK. I had the sausage and chicken gumbo. The taste was a little bland and it also seemed a bit watery. Not as good as Yats but something other than a burger. I'll definitely go back to try some other menu items.
(3)A. P.
I've never had New Orleans style food, so I have nothing to compare it to. My husband & I couldn't decide what to get so we just got 2 samplers which let us try 6 entrees. The food was good & flavorful...some things were a bit too spicy for me, but my husband liked them. Not sure if this is typical of New Orleans food, but all 6 dishes were blends of meats & vegetables in a rich sauce or soup. I agree with several others on Yelp...my favorites were the Crawfish Casserole and the Corn Fritters. Nice change of pace from my usual fare. We also had a good experience with the staff. There were two teenage (or 20 something?) girls working there and both were very nice. It seemed more like a cafe where you order your food at the counter and the staff leave you alone after you get your food. I don't know if it was just because it was our first visit, but one girl came to our table a little while later to find out how we were doing. It was nice because she seemed genuinely interested in what we thought of the food.
(4)Susie D.
Used Order In Biz to place my order for Mudbugs. Very disappointing. Catfish dinner was lacking. The catfish didn't even taste like catfish. Very thin piece of fish, hardly worth $10.00. Dirty rice was just so-so, along with the jambalya which was just like more rice. Nothing to write home about. The dessert they called Benjoit (spelling?) which was pitiful. 4 small pieces of fried dough with powdered sugar to put on top. Hardly worth $4.00 I feel like I wasted $60.00 for nothing.
(1)Lindsay A.
I'm a little surprised by the negativity about Mudbugs. I've been a couple times, and liked everything I tried... Especially for how cheap it is! I do wish the music fit the Cajun style better though.
(4)Rob H.
This is quite possibly the worst cajun creole food on the planet. I can only say possibly because it's the worst I've ever had and I haven't been to every cajun restaurant in the world. But I'm pretty sure I could get away with making the claim of it being the worst period without catching too much flack. Where to start? I had some questions before ordering and the young lady (YL) behind the counter wouldn't let me finish a question before blurting out an answer to what she thought my question might be. YL: Are you ready to order? Me:I have some questions. Can you... YL: I can give you samples of stuff. Me: Thanks, but what I really would like to know is... YL: It's all on the board if you want to try it. Me: What is the... YL: blah blah blah blah blah I finally gave up. The chicken and mushroom etoufee tasted like someone had rushed to make milk gravy and accidentally spilled some rice in it. Imagine gravy made with too much flour and then undercooked. This is so far from a roux, that I thought we were at Bob Evans. The seafood gumbo looked and tasted like beef barley soup, complete with shredded beef and rice instead of barley. Still can't quite figure that one out. We sifted through it, looking for something that resembled seafood in the peppery beef broth and finally gave up. The jambalaya was watery, bland and had no cajun flavor characteristics. It was literally like someone made uncle Ben's rice and at the last minute said, "darn, we forgot the sausage and all that other jambalaya type stuff. Quick, throw some in it before you serve it." The crawfish casserole was...um...well, just read about the jambalaya above and replace "jambalaya" with "crawfish casserole". Shrimp Po'boy. It's supposed to be on a hard bun, not a soft one. The shrimp and the side of hush puppies had the same flavor. I'm assuming there is deepfry'omatic 3000 in the kitchen where everything goes in one end and comes out the other. It was about the only edible thing in our meal. Certainly the only thing we finished. Tea is out of the fountain, not brewed and tasted like a mud puddle. Long story short, it get's one star only because you can't give a place negative stars. For $7 less, we could have gone to Yats and had larger portions of the best cajun creole food outside of New Orleans. No offense to Mia, but this is not what cajun creole food is supposed to taste like. We really hoped this would be good, because it's so close to our home compared to Yats. We'll happily make the extra drive. I need to add this after the fact. i went to their website and looked at the menu. The pictures of the dishes are nothing like what was served to us. Extremely misleading to say the least. Edited on 6/27/08 to add the following: I'm not affiliated with any restaurant, let alone a competitor of mudbugs. My taste buds are just fine and able to differentiate between all kinds of flavors, textures and consistencies.. When I was there almost a year ago, both the food and service were horrible. Perhaps in the last 11 months they've gotten their act together. If so, kudos to them. They had a long way to go and it wouldn't have been easy. Judging by the other reviews, you'll either love the place or never go back a second time.
(1)John J.
Bad service,terrible food.If you have a desire for New Orleans style food,go to Yats.
(1)Dan D.
This place is a personal favorite. Start with the staff, which is extremely friendly and seems to really care about you and your experience. Come a few times and they will learn your order and treat you like family. And this is a casual, family friendly place that is a nice fit with all the new businesses going in on Main Street Carmel. I am surprised to see a bad food review, as my meals are always delicious. My son and I usually each have the shrimp Po Boy, with chips or hush puppies , and a side order of red beans and rice. It's all excellent, very filling, and reasonably priced. If you enjoy a cold beer, I recommend the Abita Turbo Dog, served with a chilled mug. There's always first rate zydeco, blues or R&B to set a pleasant mood, indoors or out. The outdoor cafe tables are a new and nice touch.
(4)tom j.
i didnt want to give up a star but... the place sucks!
(1)Johnny O.
My poor taste buds will never be the same. I've had some pretty horrible food, but never food so horrible that I couldn't even bring myself to finish it.
(1)Matthew G.
I had good expectations. Walked in this afternoon after trying to drop my bass off next door, but the music store wasn't open yet. Decided to try Mudbugs since I've been putting it off for some time now. As I approached the counter, the man behind it asked if there was a machine gun in my case. Really? It's a guitar, have you never seen a guitar case before? I asked if he wanted to bet on it. Idiot. Despite the ignorance, I went ahead and ordered. I had read that the crawfish casserole was award winning, so it was an easy choice. I placed my order and had a seat. The food arrived quickly, and I made my first observation. The casserole was more like a risotto, which I thought was a fun play on the word. Unfortunately, the rice was insanely overcooked, the texture literally made me dry heave. I'm sure had it have been prepared correctly it would have been good, but it wasn't and it was terrible. I can't think of anything off the top of my head that I've eaten recently that was that bad. I understand people mess up, but don't serve the overcooked and disgusting product. I'll never be back, what came out on my plate was unacceptable. Highly recommend trying anywhere else.
(1)Cheryl C.
A friend treated me to lunch at Mudbugs and I am pleased she introduced me to this DT Carmel treat. We sat outside on a beautiful afternoon, and started with their sampler plate since I had never been to the restaurant. A good choice as we sampled eight or so different dishes - just a couple bites of each - then picked our favorites for a Pick Three to share. Hits included the Shrimp Étouffée, the Dirty Rice, Red Beans and Rice, and a shredded pork dish over rice. If you've not tried Cajun Food, or Mudbugs, I highly recommend the sampler platter as a way to try a good number of items. It could even be used as an 'appetizer' with a couple of drinks if you are not particularly hungry.
(4)Jarrod R.
Had a "free day" on MLK day, so I thought I would treat myself to lunch up in Carmel. While I think I may have had one of their beignets in the past, I never sat down and had a meal at Mudbugs. First off, what a great location on Carmel's little "miracle mile" right off Rangeline on Main St. Carmel has done some exciting things over the past decade and this district is one of them. The service is warm and welcoming. I felt at home instantly. That's a very good feeling. As for the grub, I ordered "Miss Ann's Crawfish Casserole" and it lived up to its Award Winning reputation. A wonderful blend of spices that just worked beautifully. For a little treat, I just had to order their beignets. Piping hot and delicious. All in all, my Mudbugs lunch was pitch perfect. I look forward to a return visit to try some of their other dishes.
(5)Courtney S.
It's a nice little location with some yummy Cajun. I always tend to dislike places that have their menu on a chalkboard because I feel this unfounded pressure to make a decision. As a result I ended up with the red beans and rice which was ok. My boyfriend had the jambalaya which definitely had a better flavor profile (not "spicy" but a good balance of spices). But it was a bit watery. The bread and my rice made quick work of the excess liquid but I think we both were expecting something a little different. I will highly recommend the hush puppies (they have corn in them and they come with yummy sauce) and the beignets. We had all of the above and a fountain drink for about $25 which is really nice. It's a good lunch or casual dinner; better if you sit outside and people watch.
(4)Linda L.
This is a good place for a quick bite to eat. We got the pick three with dirty rice, pork and rice and BBQ pork po boy. The po boy was great, but I wouldn't get the rice and pork again. It was a little bland. The beignets were also a bit bland. I had to go back and try to get more powdered sugar for it. But it wasn't bad for $4. My friend had the shrimp étouffée. It was very rich. She was glad she got the small. It's a different type of étouffée than yatz. The hushpuppies were just right with a crispy outside and soft interior and they came with a delicious aioli. I want to come back when they do their crawfish boil specials and try other items on the menu. I wonder if I just didn't order the right stuff this time.
(3)