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

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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For Langston Hughes on His 123 Birthday

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

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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

AndyShallal PeaceandStruggle

Andy Shallal

Founder/CEO Andy Shallal is an artist, social entrepreneur and founder/CEO of Busboys and Poets, a restaurant group in the Washington Metropolitan area where art, culture and politics intentionally collide over mindfully sourced food, drinks, books and event programming. With six, soon to be seven locations in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, Busboys and Poets has … Continued

#BusboysGood: Pages Matam

#BusboysGood: Pages Matam

#BusboysGood is a blog/Instagram series that profiles all the good folks who frequent Busboys and Poets. They are what make our tribe one.

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Everest Base Camp #12

“Hey Dude” I finish my communing with the majesty of this wild, magnificent slice of earth and head to the other side of this narrow metal wonder of a bridge. My legs are still noodles but a bit more steady. My face is flush. My body is intact. My mind is calm. And I am … Continued