DC VegFest Media Party at Takoma

We kicked off another year of DC VegFest by hosting the media party in the Guillén Room at Takoma to about 60 local and national influencers. For the last four years we’ve sponsored DC VegFest and have provided an overflowing buffet of various vegan foods from our catering and regular menu, like vegan “beef” sliders, vegan “tuna,” and house-made hummus with warm pita. Guests also got to try some experimental dishes that might hit our menu soon, like pulled jackfruit sliders and mini vegan corndogs. Vegan rosé from our menu and beer from DogFish head were big hits.

See you at DC VegFest on September 15th at Yards Park in DC for the Busboys Beer Garden, Food Tent (vegan mac and cheese, anyone?), and Live Music Stage featuring live music performances and storytelling for families, and more.

Live Music Stage Line-Up:

Culture Queen: 11:10-Noon
Spread Love Brass Band: 12:30 pm- 1:30pm
Smile and Wave- Two 45 minute sets: 2 – 4pm
DJ Diyanna: 4:30-5:30pm

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

Sep 2, 2025

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

For Langston Hughes on His 123 Birthday

Feb 1, 2024

Speech given on February 1, 2024 in Havana, Cuba In 1927 Langston Hughes walked into a Cuba amid an emerging community of artists, intellectuals, and radicals. He saw a “sunrise in a new land [– a day – in his words]sic – full of brownskin surprises, and hitherto unknown contacts in a world of color.” … Continued

Palestine Week 2024

Jan 12, 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

New Happy Hour Specials

Nov 9, 2014

Now enjoy happy hour specials, like 1/2 off Small Plates from 4-7pm at all locations

Cuba! Busboys and Poets Travel Tribe’s Cultural Exchange (July 2022)

Jul 6, 2022

Follow along for the Busboys and Poets Travel Tribe’s Cultural Exchange trip to Cuba (July 6-13, 2022) Wednesday, July 6, 2022 1. Heading to Cuba – The Charter Flight By Andy Shallal (@andyshallal CEO/Founder, Busboys and Poets) It is 5:30am. I am at the recently renovated National Airport. AKA Reagan. But for the name, this … Continued

Event Recap : Busboys X Anniversary Party

Oct 8, 2015

[The] 10-year anniversary party for Busboys and Poets brought hundreds of well-wishers to the restaurant and bookstore chain’s Brookland location in Northeast Washington.”

What to read: Celebrating National Poetry Month at Busboys and Poets

Apr 20, 2018

April in DC – a time to welcome the sun, greet the cherry blossoms and relish the city’s many parks in bloom. April is also National Poetry Month, and being home to a vibrant literary community, DC celebrates every year with a diverse offering of events, readings and books to savor. Here at Busboys and … Continued