Covid-19 Protocol | Busboys and Poets

Due to the upcoming vaccination/testing requirements, we are re-posting the Busboys and Poets Safety Protocol:

“The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented moment in history and has impacted the hospitality industry unlike anything else we have experienced before. This manual is an introduction to how Busboys and Poets plans to get in front of the situation, stay ahead of the curve and come out on the other side together as one with our values intact. We will revisit our best practices every day with the ever shifting terrain as we want to provide the strictest safety protocols possible to ensure everyone remains safe.”
Andy Shallal, Founder

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

Busboys and Poets Books Holiday Picks for Kids!

Dec 11, 2017

“Mary Had a Little Glam” is a modern twist on a classic nursery rhyme featuring a young girl named Mary who has an eye for fashion and loves to share her gift with others. When she notices her classmates, some of whom are also children featured in popular nursery rhymes, are looking a bit drab, … Continued

Experience Cuba! Trip to the 31st International Book Fair in Cuba

Nov 16, 2022

Join the Busboys and Poets Travel Tribe on a 6-day, 5-night trip to the 31st International Book Fair in Cuba! The program will be filled with cultural encounters, meetings, colloquiums, tributes, panels, conferences, readings, awards, and book presentations. from $852 per person (plus air) About the 31st International Book Fair in Cuba The 31st “International … Continued

Thoughts After A Race Conference

Nov 16, 2016

1. Challenge racism. Family and close friends is a good place to start. Try “calling them in” before “calling them out”. Use the “I” language. Engage, don’t retreat.

#BusboysGood: Pages Matam

Aug 10, 2016

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