Lil' Easy Fine Cajun Food & Bar
Restaurant · Govalle
5000 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
Highlights
Cajun classics, frozen cocktails, and NOLA vibes await
Cajun classics, frozen cocktails, and NOLA vibes await
"Lil’ Easy’s large courtyard is the kind that’s common in New Orleans, with lots of steel patio tables, leafy tropical plants, and giant fans shuffling humid air from one side to the other to imitate a Louisiana breeze. The menu reads like a greatest hits list of Cajun classics. The gumbo and po’boys are solid, but the stars of the show are the frozen cocktails and limeades that arrive in cute yellow take-home cups to help you remember the boozy brunch or dinner you had the day before. Besides, you’re not here for delicately prepared fried-fish fingers—you’re here to show up with a group, drink painkillers, eat three dozen oysters, and wonder why you don’t feel 100% the next morning. " - nicolai mccrary, matthew jacobs
"Lil’ Easy is from the De Nada Cantina people, but instead of tacos and margaritas, it’s all about gumbo, oysters, po’boys, and other Cajun classics. It’s located on East Cesar Chavez, in a casual, mostly outdoor space with lots of small metal tables on a large patio full of plants and fans. There’s also a full bar with draft beer, wine, cocktails, and nearly a dozen different frozen drinks (with and without booze). We visited Lil' Easy and added it to our Fun Dinners guide. " - nicolai mccrary
"The team behind Sawyer & Co. and De Nada grew with this new Louisianan Cajun restaurant in Govalle in May. This means homey fried seafood baskets, po’ boys, and daily specials like gumbo and red beans/rice/andouille sausage. And naturally, there are NOLA-ish cocktails like draft hurricanes and daiquiris. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services." - Nadia Chaudhury
"The team behind nearby restaurants/bars Sawyer & Co. and De Nada opened its newest restaurant in May in the Govalle neighborhood. It’s all about Southern Louisianan cuisines with strong Cajun threads. This means, at least for drinks, loads of frozen cocktails, like daiquiris, Grasshoppers, and Painkillers, plus drinks such as draft hurricanes and Sazeracs. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services." - Nadia Chaudhury
"Lil’ Easy is from the team behind Mexican restaurant De Nada Cantina, but this East Austin spot right across the street is all about Cajun classics. The casual, mostly outdoor space feels like a New Orleans-style courtyard, complete with lots of small metal tables, leafy plants, and retro decor (check out the ‘80s Fiat stationed out front). It’s a cute, buzzy space you'll want to show up to with a big group of friends on the weekend. But a meal here is more about the scenery than the food, which can be hit or miss. Come for a fried seafood basket or a po’boy on the breezy patio if you’re the gambling type, or stop by on a Saturday afternoon for a frozen cocktail and a snack before getting dinner somewhere else. Food Rundown photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Frozens We’ve enjoyed all of the frozen drinks we’ve had here. They’re boozy and especially refreshing on a warm afternoon. We like the classic daiquiri and the painkiller, or the cherry limeade for a non-alcoholic option. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Raw Oysters Gulf oysters are the only option, and they’re sold by the half-dozen at market price ($2). Raw Gulf oysters aren’t as sweet and refreshing as East and West Coast varieties, but we understand the commitment to the New Orleans theme. All of our oysters were still attached to the shell, which made them a little difficult to eat. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Grilled Oysters On one occasion, our grilled oysters arrived at room temperature, and on another, they were hot to the touch but dry and overcooked. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Deviled Eggs The bases are overcooked and rubbery, and the stuffing is underseasoned. Skip these. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Fried Fish Seafood Basket We like the fried fish and shrimp baskets, though we’ve had a few unevenly fried pieces in both. But the biggest disappointment on this plate is the coleslaw that mostly tastes like cold cabbage with a bit of horseradish. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Gumbo This was a great bowl of Louisiana-style gumbo, and we’d gladly make a light meal out of it. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Prime Rib Debris Po'Boy All of the po’boys at Lil’ Easy are big, and the prime rib debris version is no exception. It’s a little messy to eat, but the meat is tender and flavorful." - Nicolai McCrary
