A new culinary venture with a Southern twang is hitting the streets of East Austin as Lil' Easy Fine Cajun Food & Bar sets up shop this month. Known for running popular spots like De Nada Cantina and Sawyer & Co., the 2 Dine 4 Hospitality group is promising to spice up the Govalle neighborhood's dining scene with its Cajun-focused menu and New Orleans-style cocktails. Located at 5000 East Cesar Chavez Street, Lil' Easy aims to channel the spirit of Louisiana into the heart of Texas, as reported by Austin Eater.
Opening its doors on May 7, Lil' Easy is all set to serve signature dishes like charcoal-grilled oysters, po'boys, and jambalaya. The libations are no less inviting, featuring hurricanes and frozen drinks reminiscent of Bourbon Street revelry. It seems that Texas will now have a touch of Mardi Gras all year round. In an interview obtained by MySA, Stephen Shallcross, president of 2 Dine 4 Hospitality, highlighted the shift in Sawyer & Co.’s offerings from New Orleans fare to Texas comfort food, planning to transfer “our favorite stuff that is Louisiana and move it down the street” to Lil' Easy.
This gastronomic shuffle allows Sawyer & Co. to explore classic Texas dishes while still treating patrons to occasional specials like gumbo and crawfish étouffée. Meanwhile, expecting approval of a new gas line delayed Lil' Easy's originally scheduled Mardi Gras opening. The venue, creatively transformed from an old gas station into a dining hotspot by designer Ayse Iyriboz, wants to serve up both food and nostalgia for Shallcross, who recalls Louisiana road trips searching for the best lunch with his stepdad.
Offering a haven for both locals and those with a hankering for Cajun cuisine, Lil' Easy's hours range from 11 a.m. to midnight during weekdays and wrap up a bit earlier on Sundays, at 10 p.m. The establishment will feature both indoor and outdoor seating for those looking to savor their meals under the Texas sky. Already having earned its cool stripes with a logo featuring an alligator donning sunglasses, the restaurant has indeed been teasing Austin's taste buds with pop-up events, including a Mardi Gras celebration and a crawfish boil. Importing boudin links directly from Louisiana and boasting eight kinds of frozen daiquiris at their dive bar, Lil' Easy is prepped to bring authentic flavor and soulful eats, Shallcross told MySA.
And Shallcross's vision for Southern hospitality doesn't stop at Austin's doorstep. With plans to expand to San Antonio, he intends to cater to his family roots and the city's rich foodie culture, continuing to spread the love for hearty meals and good times, one Louisiana-inspired dish at a time.
