Two decades after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans natives living in Austin talk about the restaurants, drinks, and vibes that spark something familiar.

“You’ve never met anybody who loves to eat crawfish more than I do,” says Stephen Shallcross, the owner of 2 Dine 4 Hospitality.

Shallcross, who hails from Baton Rouge and is co-owner of American diner Sawyer & Co. and Mexican restaurant De Nada Cantina, opened Lil’ Easy Fine Cajun Food & Bar at 5000 E. Cesar Chavez in a space that used to be a former cab stand and Shell gas station.

What they're saying: "I'm excited to bring the nostalgia of my childhood to my city," owner Stephen Shallcross said. "I grew up on boudin and crawfish. Sometimes out of old gas stations. So getting to share authentic Cajun cuisine in a similar setting has been a dream of mine since I opened my first restaurant."

Lil’ Easy comes from hospitality group 2 Dine 4 Hospitality. The group has dipped its toes in several types of cuisines, including Southern food at Sawyer & Co. and Mexican at De Nada Cantina. The group also leads the East Austin event space Swoop House & Wine Garden prix fixed ticketed restaurant & event space.