Venue Image

Hours

Sun.-Thurs. 10AM-midnight
Fri. Sat 10AM-2AM

Nearest Subway Station

U Street - Cardozo (green line)
13th St & U St, NW
Green Line

Parking

Street parking

Pricing

Low ($)

Busboys & Poets   

2021 14th St NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-387-7638
www.busboysandpoets.com

Rating: 4 out of 5  (10 Ratings)   Read Reviews (10)    Rate and Write a Review
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If a previously frozen Vietnam-era protestor were regenerated, he or she would feel right at home in Busboys and Poets. In fact, while some '60's-era customers don't look twentysomething anymore, the place plays host to distinguished Vietnam names like Tom Hayden. They rub elbows with modern activists, digging the city's new conscience-raising zone. Part restaurant and bar, part theater and bookstore, Busboys and Poets is fast becoming an institution for those in search of peace and tolerance. One wall is covered with a collage depicting the struggles of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela, while periodic films (usually free) highlight the need for racial tolerance. The bookstore, geared to multicultural understanding and anti-bias, offers great titles. Comfy couches invite the coffee-slurping cyberfan. And some folks just come for the great, if simple, food, like bargain-priced crab cakes, whopping burgers and peanut butter-banana-honey Elvis specials. Catch an eggplant Napoleon between debates, and don't miss the microbrews.

User Ratings and Reviews Rate and Write a Review

10 Ratings and Reviews

Order by: Oldest | Newest
Absolutlae
Review rating 5 out of 5
Hipsters/Scenesters/Activists/Old/Young you will LOVE this place!
By Absolutlae on 06/20/2008
You walk in and the place is packed buzzing with intellectuals, people enjoying the great eats, browsing through the bookstore, or listening to Open Mic night. This place has it all- I can waste hoursss there and never feel bored. I like their tofu cake entree. check out their website- theres really good music on it too: www.busboysandpoets.com
DukFlf
Review rating 5 out of 5
wonderful food and service
By DukFlf on 06/18/2008
the food was incredible and the service was attentive and fast. Even on a busy Sunday the brunch was hot and tasty. The vegan cake was awsome. i can't wait to come back...
dcfoodexpert
Review rating 3 out of 5
A Place to Be
By dcfoodexpert on 12/25/2006
Atmosphere, that's what this place is about. Which is how it gets a three star rating. The food is completely mediocre, and the service is teenager slow. That being said, you can find interesting sandwiches and pizza to munch on, just bring your patience. The crowd is very mixed, older then a college scene, but hip and energetic. I wish the bar area were larger because it really is a great place to hang out and have drinks. You can get a great sipping beer like Delirium. I urge support for this fairly young place, hopefully the food and service will rise to the level of the energy of the place.
user image
Review rating 5 out of 5
Love it
By lacostelvr05 on 10/27/2006
First of all the space is absolutley gorgeous- high ceilings, stylish bar, comfy couches, cute bookstore, amazing artwork, and a nice private room with a stage and movie screen. Busboys has it all. The food is also suprisingly good sfor the price. Last week I tried the falafel sandwich with a side of salad for only $5.95. The falafels were crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. I could tell the greens were very fresh. It's a great place to hang out too- there's free wifi so bring your laptop, find a comfy couch in the lounge, and order a smooth, organic cup of coffee. The menu is also vegan and vegetarian friendly. The individual size pizzas are fabulous - not greasy and not too heavy. The burgers are big a juicy and they salads are light and very fresh. The space attracts a great, diverse crowd and there are always interesting events happening for the public in the private Langston Room. Check out the website to look at upcoming events and the menu. I hope you go and I hope that you will be as impressed as I am with Busboys and Poets!
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