UPDATE: March 25, 2020

We have made the difficult decision to close our Brookland and Takoma locations. Delivery and pick up are currently available from all other locations from 11AM – 9 PM daily via order.busboysandpoets.com

UPDATE: March 17, 2020

All DC and MD locations are offering carryout and delivery services from 11 AM – 9 PM with a limited menu. No dine-in service is available.

The Shirlington location will continue to seat customers using the social distancing policy until 9 PM tonight. Shirlington will move to carryout and delivery only from 11 AM – 9 PM beginning 3/18/20.


UPDATE March 16, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTacMeKWDt8

Dear Tribe,

We’re all dealing with the uncertainty around coronavirus (COVID-19).

We recognize the importance of our increased commitment to be proactive and preventive in our decisions here and now.  Part of this is actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation and continually taking immediate steps as advised by the CDC to support keeping our restaurants safe and clean for our Tribe.

As of today, there are no changes to our regular services. However, we ask for everyone who comes to Busboys and Poets to:

We want you to know that your health and safety is our utmost concern. We will be providing updates as things develop but we wanted to provide more detail on the prevantive measures we have undertook so far:

• ENHANCED CLEANING PROTOCOLS. We have increased the frequency of cleaning service in every area of the stores, including the bookstores, event spaces, microphones, kitchens, tables, doors, handrails and restrooms. 

PAID SICK LEAVE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. We are proud to have been at the forefront of this movement in Washington DC.

 • ADDITIONAL ANTIBACTERIAL PRODUCTS. We have increased the quantity of sanitizers and disinfectant wipes available for customers and Tribe members. 

PAPERLESS MENUS are now available via a QR Code at our host stands. This feature allows guests to experience our menu without the spread of potential health hazards through paper menu contact.

SOCIAL DISTANCING. Reducing ticket quantities for our in-house events in order to allow more room for social distancing. 

STRATEGIC SEATING.  Our approach is two-fold: Opening the private event spaces for teleworkers and putting a 6’ distance between dining tables.  All bar seating is removed per the directive of DC Government.

GLOVES. All bartenders and servers will now be required to wear gloves. 

WE’LL COME TO YOU. Whether you prefer to stay in the house or have a planning meeting at the office, order online for pickup, or delivery: order.busboysandpoets.com. Individually packaged “Grab & Go” lunchboxes available for a limited time!

The Making of Busboys and Poets

A Seat at the Table: The Making of Busboys and Poets

We’re proud to announce A Seat at the Table: The Making of Busboys and Poets, the new memoir from our CEO and Founder, which reveals the vision, challenges, and triumphs behind opening Busboys and Poets. Packed with misadventures, unexpected triumphs, and insights on race, business and politics, Andy Shallal’s memoir takes us on a “How I Built … Continued

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Palestine Week 2024

January 18, 2024 – January 25, 2024 In keeping with our ongoing mission of uplifting racial and cultural connections, Busboys and Poets is hosting Palestine Week (January 18 through January 25, 2024). This week-long series of events will offer a diverse range of programming featuring Palestinian food, music, dance, poetry, discussions, and other enriching events. … Continued

On Censorship by Salman Rushdie

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No writer ever really wants to talk about censorship. Writers want to talk about creation, and censorship is anti-creation, negative energy, uncreation, the bringing into being of non-being, or, to use Tom Stoppard’s description of death, “the absence of presence.” Censorship is the thing that stops you doing what you want to do, and what writers want to talk about is what they do, not what stops them doing it.

Busboys and Poets Books Review: From Headshops to Whole Foods

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From Head Shops to Whole Foods by Joshua Clark Davis is a scholarly examination of activist entrepreneurs who use business as a tool to enact social and political change. It’s a far-reaching subject to dedicate this sort of academic rigor to, and the author limits his examination to four subjects: African American bookstores, head shops, … Continued

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Everest Base Camp #14

Getting the key to finding your mojo. It’s 5:30 am. I am sitting upright in my bed just plain miserable. It is still dark outside. My sad excuse for sleep was horrible. 3 hours tops. Drinking 4 cups of obviously well caffeinated milk tea before bed. Dogs barking all night long. Cold feet (literally). 4 … Continued

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Busboys and Poets Book Review: Anger is a Gift

Mark Oshiro’s contemporary YA fiction is an incredibly moving story about community, about love, and about taking a stand against prejudice and violence, even when it seems completely hopeless, and it is especially difficult to read. Especially for someone like me, caught up in my own privilege and ignorant of the struggles faced by people … Continued