Tue, 03/06/2007 - 11:22am

It’s a typical night at Busboys and Poets. Progressively-minded urbanites peruse political and international literature in the tiny bookstore, and college students study over mint tea on one of the many comfy couches and tables. In the Langston Hughes Performance Area, activists in dreadlocks and hippie clothes gather for a spoken word poetry performance, surrounded by pictures and photographs of peace activists and Civil Rights leaders.

Busboys and Poets is owner Andy Shallal’s answer to the increasingly diverse and politically-oriented U-street corridor crowd. According to the establishment’s website, “Busboys and Poets is a restaurant, bookstore and gathering place for people who believe that social justice and peace are attainable goals. The Busboys and Poets location enhances the community—allowing us to bring together a diverse clientele reflective of the surrounding neighborhoods and the city at large. Busboys and Poets creates an environment where shared conversations over food and drink allow progressive, artistic, and literary communities to dialogue, educate, and interact.”

And truth be told, this place is all an artist's café should be: a hint of nostalgia, a touch of art, a lot of character, and a diverse, socially-conscious, artsy crowd make it a unique DC hangout. Black, white, straight, gay, Arab, and Jewish populate the dining and performance area. Though it’s only a couple of years old, the place manages to capture that “been around forever” vibe, a nice change among the endless Starbucks and Borders that seem to dot every other city block.

You don’t come here for the food or the service. Yes, the burgers and pizza are good, but they’re nothing spectacular or particularly memorable, and service can be slow. I waited over an hour for a mint-tea that never arrived, though in the waiter’s defense, the place was packed. Entrees range between $5.95-$18.95, featuring mostly American fare. But then again, Busboys and Poets is all about interaction, politics, and art, not fine dining. Whether you live around the corner or across the country, it’s a great place to get a sense of what being a Washingtonian is all about.

The place gets busy in the evenings, so be prepared to wait up to 45 minutes to be seated. With its proximity to Howard University, its location in an increasingly diverse neighborhood and free WIFI, Busboys and Poets has made a name for itself as a true local hub.

Events take place nearly everyday, centering around cinema, literature, political talks, spoken-word poetry nights, and other socially-conscience themes. To see a full listing of planned and ongoing events, check out their website at www.busboysandpoets.com

About the author
Jisel Perilla

Photo courtesy of The Girl That Spun

Categories:

• Arts
• Restaurant Reviews