Busboys and Poets Review

Busboys and poets is a quirky mix between a bookstore, a museum, a cafe, and a full-blown restaurant. Named after Langston Hughes, a busboy at a hotel turned poet, this fixture of the U Street neighborhood is constantly bustling with diners for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Their menu is extensive and slightly overwhelming, but you can't really go wrong and there's something for everyone. Busboys features several vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options--pan seared basil tofu, a variety of salads, a beans & wild rice dish, and yellow gazpacho served with basil olive oil and guacamole. For the meat and bread eaters, their sandwiches and paninis are great for lunch or dinner (they're pretty large). You can even get your sandwich with sweet potato fries on the side.

Credit for this picture goes to mspt47, posted to Busboys and Poets Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/busboysandpoetsphotos/6681327933/

Brunch at Busboys brings a variety of egg dishes (wraps, scrambles, benedicts, omelettes) as well as vegan sausage and vegan bacon--two things that I didn't even know existed.

There are currently four Busboys and Poets locations, but if you've got a little extra time make the  trek to the original (14th and V). Prices are mid-range but there are several entree options under $10.

My top 3 dishes:

1. Chicken Salad Sandwich -- Includes apples, raisins, and walnuts
2. Sweet Potato Fries -- Not really a "dish," but close enough
3. Any egg dish on the brunch menu -- Sorry, couldn't choose just one.

Visit Busboys and Poets at 2021 14th St, NW
Washington, DC 20009

or

1025 5th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001


or 


4251 South Campbell Ave
Arlington, VA 22206 

or (last one, I promise)

5331 Baltimore Ave, Suite 104
Hyattsville, MD 20781