New Cajun Restaurant Lil’ Easy Is Opening in Austin in May - Eater Austin
"The group behind Texan diner Sawyer & Co. and taco bar De Nada is opening its newest restaurant dedicated to Louisianan Cajun food and drinks is opening this month. Lil’ Easy Fine Cajun Food & Bar is opening in the Govalle neighborhood at 5000 East Cesar Chavez Street starting on Tuesday, May 7. Per the name, Lil’ Easy will focus on food and cocktails stemming from Southern Louisiana. This means an array of Cajun dishes such as charcoal grilled oysters, po’ boys, meat pies, jambalaya and much more. And then, for beverages, expect New Orleans-ish cocktails like hurricanes, frozen drinks, and more. Lil’ Easy’s finalized menu is still being worked on. Before this opening, the restaurant had been hosting pop-ups since earlier this year, including a Mardi Gras one and a crawfish boil. Its logo is a cool alligator wearing sunglasses sitting at a table with a drink at hand. Running Lil’ Easy is parent company 2 Dine 4 Hospitality, founded by owner and chef Stephen Shallcross in 1994 as a catering company. It expanded with event space Swoop House in 2008, Sawyer & Co. in 2014, and De Nada in 2021. And, actually, ahead of the opening of Lil’ Easy, the group shifted Sawyer & Co.’s food focus from New Orleans to Texas comfort food. Lil’ Easy’s hours will be from 11 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday and then from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Expect indoor and outdoor dine-in areas too." - Nadia Chaudhury
