Busboys and Poets is a restaurant, bookstore, fair trade market and gathering place where people can discuss issues of social justice and peace. Each Busboys and Poets location should enhance the community -- allowing us to bring together a diverse clientele reflective of the surrounding neighborhoods. Busboys and Poets creates an environment where shared conversations over food and drink allow the progressive, artistic and literary communities to dialogue, educate and interact.

    About Busboys & Poets



    Busboys and Poets is a community gathering place. First established in 2005 Busboys and Poets was created by owner Anas "Andy" Shallal, an Iraqi-American artist, activist and restaurateur. After opening, the flagship location at 14th and V Streets, NW (Washington DC), the neighboring residents and the progressive community, embraced Busboys, especially activists opposed to the Iraq War. Busboys and Poets is now located in three distinctive neighborhoods in the Washington Metropolitan area and is a community resource for artists, activists, writers, thinkers and dreamers.

    Why The Name?



    The name refers to American poet Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy at the Wardman Park Hotel in the 1930s, prior to gaining recognition as a poet. Rejected ideas for the restaurant's name include Writers Block Cafe, Broken Bread Cafe and White Rabbit Cafe, the latter inspired by The Matrix.

    Local First



    Busboys and Poets is a proud member of Local First DC.

    Busboys & Poets is proud to be a Certified B Corporation™



    B Corporations™ help us tell the difference between 'good companies' and just good marketing by meeting higher standards of social and environmental performance and legal accountability. As of July 2008, there are over 120 Certified B Corporations™, representing a diverse $900+ million marketplace. Learn how B Corporations™ benefit all of us at www.bcorporation.net.


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