Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Joella's Hot Chicken - Indianapolis

    4.0 (585 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Order Joella's Hot Chicken - Indianapolis Takeout or Delivery

    Joella's Hot Chicken - Indianapolis Photos

    Business Info

    JOELLA'S HOT CHICKEN - INDIANAPOLIS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    More like Joella's Hot Chicken - Indianapolis

    Recommended Reviews - Joella's Hot Chicken - Indianapolis

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    2 Jumbo Tenders and Parm Garlic Fries
    Precious N.

    This may just be the BEST chicken chain ever! We enjoyed our entire meals from beginning to end! I ordered two jumbo tenders with garlic parm fries and it was excellent! The chicken was seasoned to perfection. I loved that the fries were tossed in the parm garlic and it wasn't just sprinkled on top. We barely needed the sauces we ordered because the food was just that good! We were greeted warmly upon arrival and the cashier was very kind while giving us suggestions. The establishment was super clean and inviting and we will definitely be back soon!

    Elizabeth S.

    Didn't expect it to be this good. We had chicken Sammie with garlic Parmesan fires and wings with mashed potatoes. Garlic Parmesan fries were awesome, Sammie was crispy and tender. Service was fast and friendly. Definitely eat there again.

    Jarmeika T.

    This isn't it. I tried to order online, which said orders were supported through 8:15. It was 8 pm. I called to order and informed her of want I wanted to order. There was a language barrier. She was very annoyed. When I got there she explained that the special ended at 8 pm. When I finally understood, I said okay I still want it at full price. I did not get what I ordered. I only received the Mac and cheese (don't waste your time), old oil soaked Parmesan fries (that I couldn't eat), a really great kale salad, nuggets, and chicken strips, both of which were good. I also got 4 drinks for $47. What I was supposed to receive was a meal that would feed four people. It was a special on Yelp and in store that I can no longer find, less than 24 hours later. It included four sides, four drinks, nuggets, strips, dipping sauce. That is what I expected for $47. Please see the picture for a better understanding of the extremely small portion sides. Yes, I informed the lady I still wanted the exact meal I intended to order for the special. It is not what I received. Service was not good. She was annoyed and rushing me even though there was absolutely no one inside when I was ordering and maybe one car in drive thru. Food was mediocre at best. The best part was the super tiny kale salad. Will I go back? Yes if they give me exactly what I said I wanted. I also added a picture of what I originally ordered.

    Albert T.

    Came here for a very late weekend lunch (~2PM) and there was no line whatsoever at Joella's. We just got a single sandwich to share since we weren't that hungry: Pimento Sammie, Ellas Fav w/ Parm Garlic Fries ($11.50) - The chicken was fried nicely, with a good crisp and a juicy interior. Ella's fav was more sweet than spicy, basically barely spicy - I would definitely get spicier next time. I found that there was way too much salt in the batter/breading. On certain portions of the breading, there was so much salt that I felt like it was burning my tongue. On top of the chicken, the pimento cheese was surprisingly good for the Midwest. Good slightly sweet pimiento flavor and fresh cheddar. The pickles added a good zing and it was all on a nice buttered bun Parm Garlic Fries Upgrade ($0.75) - These had a nice parmesan, garlic and oregano flavor. They were kind of oily but they had a very good crisp. The salt levels could use some adjustments, but Joella's serves up some pretty good chicken and fries.

    Chicken thigh in front...tenders in back
    Kyla F.

    Hadn't been here in a while and was in the area. Didn't know they had chicken thighs which are my favorite! Long wait and it wasn't busy but overall was pretty good. Loved the kale salad, a bit too much dressing but tasted good!

    Menu
    Katherine A.

    The line at the drive-thru was long, that was a good sign. In desperate search for kid's meals for my grandchildren, we tried Joella's. We ordered inside to avoid the line outside. I had the chicken slider plate which comes with 2 sliders and choice of sliders. You also pick heat level of hot sauce. The tweener heat level was spicy hot without overpowering the taste of the chicken. The sliders were piping hot, chicken was juicy, breading crispy, served with a pickle on a dinner roll. The slider was good with a lot of flavor. The fries (my side) were also very hot and really crispy. They were the best fries I've had in a while. My meal was $9 with tax. The portions in the Kid's meals were impressive. There were plenty of fries, large chicken tenderloin and a milk box. All for only $4.99. The kids were happy. The service is friendly and quick. The dining room is clean and not many people at noon. Joella's is out of Louisville. The menu has a variety of Southern offerings such as greens and banana pudding. I'll be back. Perfect for a quick chicken sandwich and they are opened on Sundays.

    Classic Chicken Sandwich & Crispy-Thin Fries.
    Demi D.

    I always drive by Joella's and finally decided to stop today to see what it was all about. As I pull up to the drive through, I saw a sign that said it was temporarily closed. That is the only reason I am not giving it a full 5 stars. I wanted to be able to stay in my car as it was cold out, but ended up going inside. Inside of Joella's was clean, nicely decorated, and staff was extremely friendly. I had heard of people ranting about how good their fries are and obviously their chicken so I ended up getting a classic chicken sandwich with their crispy thin fries. My boyfriend ended up getting their slaw chicken sandwich with a side of mac n cheese and mashed potatoes. The fries are HEAVENLY. So crispy and salty. Absolute perfection. The chicken sandwich was juicy and the bun almost had a honey taste to it. Also delicious. The mashed potatoes were soft and creamy and the mac and cheese was simply phenomenal. I will definitely be going back to Joella's the next time I crave yummy fries and some good ole chicken.

    Rhett B.

    I played Yelp Roulette for Castleton. They were some other options I wanted to try like burgers and BBQ, but I had that recently. #40 on the list was Joella's. As I looked at the menu, it claimed the winning spot for my supper. Joella's is a little different from your standard fast food chicken places. You get to choose your level of spice, more side options, and dipping sauces you do not get from other establishments. I went with the Jumbo tenders at the Ella's Fav level with red-skin mashed potatoes and green beans. For checking in to Yelp, I also got a big wing, which I almost had to argue about receiving. The tenders were big, juicy, and on the spicy side. The green beans were ok but the mashed potatoes was very creamy and delicious. The wing had good flavor but has the flaws of most wings, not enough meat and some maneuvering. One sauce comes with the meal and one sauce is just not good enough for this sauceaholic. So I chose 5 and paid an extra 50 cents for each one. A description of the sauces I tried are: Jojo (Mustard BBQ), Bama white (a lot of horseradish), cheerwine BBQ (Cheerwine is a chery flavored soda), pimento ranchero (ranch with pimento cheese), and my favorite - the spiked honey. I am having a hard time thinking of a sauce similar to it. Either way, that's the sauce I'm choosing next time then either the Jojo or Pimento Ranchero. For dessert, they have pie in a jar. I had the chocolate peanut butter one which was very fulfilling. I get to keep the jar too. Sweet tea was Indiana level sweet tea which means barely sweet. But it was fresh-brewed. I thought of Joella's as a better Southern Pop-eyes. If you love fried chicken with some heat, come give it a try.

    Howard L.

    I'm surprised how popular this place is. I stopped in here mainly because of the dine in it offered. I looked at their online menu prior to coming here and I was excited to try their vegan chicken. This was by far a great experience from the moment I ordered. This place is beautiful inside as it is outside. It's sad that this place was understaffed but I can't blame them for that. I ordered a combo menu and the part I was shocked by is that a drink was not included because I was excited to try some of their specialty drinks they sell. Overall I love this place alot and it's got enough of my attention to come back here and it draws plenty of people daily! Highly reccomend!

    See all

    Review Insights

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Thank you for your feedback, we look forward to seeing you again soon!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Service and food were spot on. The staff was. Wet friendly and attentive. Took a bit to get my order but it was hot and fresh.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Thank you for your feedback! We look forward to seeing you again soon!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Thank you for your feedback, we look forward to seeing you again soon!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ann B.
    101
    20
    1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kyla F.
    85
    36
    94

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Thank you for your feedback, we look forward to seeing you again soon!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Great flavor and options. Better than similar themed places. Friendly service at this location.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 19
    Thanks 0
    Love this 17
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Thanks so much! Come back and see us!

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Miri D.
    173
    8
    3

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Thanks so much! Please come back soon.

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tim C.
    5
    645
    8

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Thanks so much! Please come back soon.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Thank you for your feedback! We look forward to seeing you again soon!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Amazing service. The bleach buzz is very nice and the guy is very friendly and caring and kind and sweet and loving.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Thank you so much! be safe.

    Helpful 24
    Thanks 0
    Love this 27
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Adam G.
    469
    561
    2484

    6 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    We appreciate you.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Great eats I love it all. Thanks so much for the food good. Chicken plenty of different options. good Mac

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan S.
    173
    93
    153

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Thank you for your feedback! We look forward to seeing you again soon!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Thanks so much we appreciate you.

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mariana S.
    37
    60
    187

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Thank you for the 5-star review! Come back and see us!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan S.

    Ryan S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Norm C.
    269
    564
    1947

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Christina H.

    Christina H.

    Thanks so much! Please come back soon.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dara S.
    172
    336
    6750

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 15

    Ask the Community - Joella's Hot Chicken - Indianapolis

    You might also consider

    Dugout Bar

    Dugout Bar

    4.2
    (207 reviews)
    12.0 mi
    $

    Dugout Bar is one of those places that's easy to overlook from the outside, but don't let that fool…read moreyou. Once you step inside, it's much bigger than it looks, and the patio is reason enough to visit all by itself. The outdoor space is one of my favorite parts--string lights overhead, plenty of seating, and just an all-around laid-back atmosphere that's perfect for enjoying a drink on a nice day. The drink prices were surprisingly reasonable too, which never hurts. Brooke and Daniel took great care of me and made the experience even better. Friendly service always stands out, and they definitely delivered. I ended up ordering the pulled pork pizza to take home, and that turned out to be a fantastic decision. The smoky pulled pork, tangy barbecue sauce, and generous layer of cheese all worked together perfectly. It was one of those pizzas where you keep reaching for "just one more slice." Bonus points for something a lot of places overlook: the bathrooms were spotless. Clean enough that you actually notice--and yes, they even smelled clean. Whether you're looking for a casual neighborhood bar, a great patio to relax on, or surprisingly good food, Dugout Bar checks all the boxes. I'll definitely be back.

    this is what i would consider decent bar food. have i only gotten the same meal? yes. do i keep…read moregetting the same bartender on the same day? yes. sometimes you just want a cheese pizza with light sauce extra cheese and a side of onion rings. their onion rings are soo good. there are several bars inside of here. the one furthest back is connected to the kitchen. they have a couple entrances and a large back patio you can sit out on if the weather permits. i've seen live music happening so if that's your jam they've got it. it's in fountain square so parking is parking, all over, paid and not, here and there. i've always ordered to-go on trivia breaks. their online ordering works well or phone.

    Photos
    Evening Patio
    Evening Patio
    Fries
    Fries
    Dugout Bar

    See all

    Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

    Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

    4.1
    (497 reviews)
    11.9 mi
    $$
    Full bar
    Takes reservations

    We reserved and attended here for birthday The food the drinks Everything but the service was…read moreamazing !!! We had Ava as a server, not sure if she was new or just having a bad day. Barely visited the table , only when we caught her attention intentionally. Very much patient with her as a former bartender . What brought my rating down was as leaving out and Taking pictures with family, she came out with an irate tone asking was there anything she could've did better and whys of not being tipped . In the midst of clarify nicely as tip was left with split payment made . As well as one of the other parties left cash, She rudely interrupted staring "we didnt but it was okay" and walked off . I hope Ava has better days and more considerate of tone and service that she offers . So much room growth as a service provider. Especially attention to detail no birthday recognition or anything

    Stopped in Indy for a couple days and heard Tupelo is amazing so of course I had to check it out…read more As soon as I stepped in, the nature-inspired vibes from the hanging flowers and plants everywhere mixed with the stylish decor really impressed me. I was seated quickly at the bar and the bartenders at that time were great and punctual and making sure I got a menu and everything else I needed. I definitely appreciated that they weren't constantly approaching me, but they read my cues with knowing when I was ready to order or needed something. I was really pleased with the service that I received. The menu had a mixture of American comfort food as well as classic Southern dishes. I took several glances at the food other were ordering and they all looked so appealing and appetizing. I decided to order something that I haven't tried anywhere else, so I ordered the Southern Shakshuka, which is their own unique spin-off to the original. The meal comprised of a base of creamy cheesy grits topped with a somewhat rich layer of roasted tomatoes and vegetables and poached eggs. OMG it was amazing and so flavorful! If you are ever in the area definitely stop by this place!!

    Photos
    Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
    Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
    Indoor Seating

    See all

    Indoor Seating
    World Famous Hotboys

    World Famous Hotboys

    4.5
    (306 reviews)
    12.2 mi
    $$

    After a concert last night i definitely wasn't going home to cook so passed by the world famous…read morehotboys and word of mouth I've been told to try it. Glad I did. I got my order to go but the gentleman who took my order was kind enough to offer me a cup for some water. The spot was happening. Music, good vibes, the decor was fun. I couldn't decide which meal I was trying so I'm definitely going to make another trip sometime soon. I got the tenders with mac but added a side of greens. Boy oh boy the greens were the star and wow my tastebuds were incredibly satisfied. I've had greens but these were like some ultimate flavors and holy greens i definitely could just order some of these every now and again by themselves. Mac was great. Definitely complimented the greens. The tenders though omg. The flavor was insane. I gotta try them with the waffles next time for sure. Overall the wait wasn't long and my food was still hot. I ended up sharing with my son and he was even raving about it. Great service, fun and lit atmosphere, last but not least food was fire. Side note: people complain about price but I'll be honest, when the food is good and staff are amazing, the price to me doesn't matter. You get what you pay for and let's be real, this isn't chic fil a, this is hot boys and the chicken is definitely that.

    Mixed reviews. Five of us visited. I enjoyed my chicken sandwich at the "mild plus" heat level. The…read moreother four people I was with got "medium" and "medium plus" (they are hot sauce / heat lovers) and they all hated the food. It honestly hurt to see all that chicken go directly into the garbage, but they claim it was inedible. Since it's not a saucy type of flavoring, but a dry rub, they said that the heat was painful, and not flavorful. Back to the sandwich I enjoyed... I felt that there was a sweetness to the flavor that I liked, which I could see not everyone enjoying. There is also a hot dusting over the french fries which exacerbates any discomfort people are having from the heat. There really wasn't anything to cool it down. The macaroni and cheese was piping hot, although not spicy.

    Photos
    Bar area and decor
    Bar area and decor
    World Famous Hotboys
    World Famous Hotboys

    See all

    World Famous Hotboys
    The District Tap Downtown

    The District Tap Downtown

    4.1
    (352 reviews)
    11.8 mi
    $$

    One of my favorite memories from The District Tap actually started with a shirt…read more We were sitting on the patio overlooking Georgia Street on a Fever game day when a couple walked by wearing one of the coolest Caitlin Clark shirts we'd ever seen. We complimented it, asked where they found it, and before we knew it, we were chatting with a wonderful couple who had traveled all the way from overseas just to watch Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever play that night. Moments like that are one of the reasons I love Indianapolis on game days. The patio was the perfect place to soak it all in. Fever fans filled the sidewalks, kids proudly carried homemade signs, and there was an excitement in the air that only comes from a city rallying behind its team. We could have people-watched for hours. Our waitress was exactly what every server should strive to be. Friendly, relaxed, and genuinely fun to talk to, she somehow mastered the art of appearing right before we found ourselves looking around for her. We never felt rushed, but we also never waited for anything. The food held up its end of the bargain too. The fried mozzarella disappeared embarrassingly fast and earned a solid 9.3 on my unofficial stretch meter. Crispy on the outside, perfectly gooey inside, with a marinara sauce that was every bit as good as the cheese itself. The chef salad was fresh, generously loaded with toppings, and easily big enough for a meal. I honestly couldn't tell you what beer I ordered... Because what I remember most is the experience. Sharing appetizers on a sunny patio, meeting fellow basketball fans from halfway around the world, and watching Indianapolis come alive before tipoff. It reminded me that sports have a funny way of turning complete strangers into friends. We'll absolutely be back the next time we're headed to Gainbridge.

    We stopped by The District Tap for a couple of drinks, not dinner, and unfortunately the service…read moreleft a bad impression. Our server was friendly and responsive to one member of our group (male) but repeatedly didn't acknowledge another (female). This wasn't a one-time thing, it happened several times over the course of our visit, and it came across as dismissive. As for the drinks: beer prices were nice and cheap, but the margarita was on the expensive side and not really worth it. The place seems geared toward bigger dinner crowds, which may be why a two-person drinks-only table didn't get much attention, but being essentially ignored isn't a great look either way. We wouldn't return. 2/5.

    Photos
    Nice bar and grill with a huge bar
    Nice bar and grill with a huge bar
    Firecracker Shrimp !!
    Firecracker Shrimp !!
    The District Tap Downtown

    See all

    Love Handle

    Love Handle

    4.2
    (412 reviews)
    10.5 mi
    $$

    Food: lame Price: expensive!…read moreService: not friendly Atmosphere: SUPER WEIRD... dimly lit, Deer-butt wallpaper and clowns??? My husband and I had never been here before and the lady at the counter was less than friendly. She did tell us the menu was on the other wall. My husband got a Diet Coke that came in a can and we both got a classic plate minus the toast. 2 eggs, 2 sausage patties... nothing special including the presentation. The price for each plate was $18 plus a $2 can of coke and a tip they didn't deserve brought our total to a little over $40. The eggs were flavorless and literally had no seasoning. I did appreciate that the sausage patties weren't greasy. That was about the only good thing. The decor looked like they took whatever thrift stores couldn't sell with no particular theme. Funny enough, we went out for breakfast a few days later to a DIFFERENT PLACE and for the SAME PRICE got way more food, better quality food, better presentation, full table service, friendly service, great atmosphere, and an overall wonderful experience. Overall, I would not recommend this place. We left feeling like we got ripped off and I could have made the same thing better at home.

    First time customer at Love Handle and really enjoyed the atmosphere and hospitality. The cashier…read morewas friendly and helped explained the menu. I ordered the country breakfast with fried chicken. The chicken was crunchy and delicious but I would've wished that the gravy had more flavor. It was pretty bland. I added my own salt&pepper but the overall meal would've been better if it had more flavor since the gravy covered everything. My sister ordered waffles and a side of bacon which she said was good as well. She only wished the bacon was fried harder because it was not as crispy especially since it was a thick piece of bacon. Overall good experience and hope to return to try a sandwich!

    Photos
    Coffee Station
    Coffee Station
    Waffle and Pork Belly
    Waffle and Pork Belly
    Love Handle

    See all

    Joella's Hot Chicken - Indianapolis - southern - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...