Busboys & Poets

As a vegetarian, I just love this place because there are so many tasty options to chose from. I also like the Shirlington location in because there is ample parking in the evenings. more

No matter how often we go there, we think, "Why don't we come here more often?" The menu is large and has enough variety that the vegan and carnivore in my family are equally well-sated. From breakfast and brunch to sandwiches, we've been pleased with everything we've tried. more

No matter how often we go there, we think, "Why don't we come here more often?" The menu is large and has enough variety that the vegan and carnivore in my family are equally well-sated. From breakfast and brunch to sandwiches, we've been pleased with everything we've tried. more

I went to the Busboys and Poets in Shirlington hoping for a relaxing Friday night meal. I left with a horrible impression of the restaurant. After being seated, I waited 20 minutes for a waiter to visit my table. When he arrived, I asked him if he could bring my party some water. He gave us attitude and sarcastically said that he would be back in 5 minutes. We responded by telling him we'd already been waiting for 20 minutes. The waiter then decided to argue and told us we'd been there for "5 minutes max." Instead of arguing, we left. On the way out, I told the manager about what happened. He responded, "There's nothing I can do for you." I was warned by friends the service was horrible, they were right. more

I went to the Busboys and Poets in Shirlington hoping for a relaxing Friday night meal. I left with a horrible impression of the restaurant. After being seated, I waited 20 minutes for a waiter to visit my table. When he arrived, I asked him if he could bring my party some water. He gave us attitude and sarcastically said that he would be back in 5 minutes. We responded by telling him we'd already been waiting for 20 minutes. The waiter then decided to argue and told us we'd been there for "5 minutes max." Instead of arguing, we left. On the way out, I told the manager about what happened. He responded, "There's nothing I can do for you." I was warned by friends the service was horrible, they were right. more

It took Busboys and Poets just two years to become a U Street institution. Yet Andy Shallal, the 52-year-old owner of the eatery, bookstore and performance space, was worried that the establishment's particular charms wouldn't survive expansion to a second location. Drawn by Arlington's progressive leanings, educated populace and support of the arts, Shallal set his concerns aside and three weeks ago opened his second location. "It was an opportunity to branch out without going too far," he says. Even a short visit to the new space, across the street from Signature Theatre, reveals that much of the charm remains intact. The interior has a sophisticated, modern design; the space is set up to accommodate those looking for dinner with friends, conversation at the bar, or films, performances and poetry readings in the back. The menu is full of simple, reasonably priced and delicious food (try the Poet pizza with portobello mushrooms, red pepper and mozzarella). Nate Stevenson, 52, an Arlington resident and a longtime patron of Busboys on U Street, reckons he has visited the new digs almost every day since it opened. "It has the same great service, quality and atmosphere," he says. "It's a great place to unwind, relax and socialize." Dana and Filipe Monroig, also of Arlington, originally visited because of a co-worker's recommendation and the promise of free WiFi. But the ambiance, conversation and crab cakes drew them back. "We've been here twice now," says Filipe, 31, "and we are definitely coming back." -- Justin Rude (Sept. 16, 2007) more

It took Busboys and Poets just two years to become a U Street institution. Yet Andy Shallal, the 52-year-old owner of the eatery, bookstore and performance space, was worried that the establishment's particular charms wouldn't survive expansion to a second location. Drawn by Arlington's progressive leanings, educated populace and support of the arts, Shallal set his concerns aside and three weeks ago opened his second location. "It was an opportunity to branch out without going too far," he says. Even a short visit to the new space, across the street from Signature Theatre, reveals that much of the charm remains intact. The interior has a sophisticated, modern design; the space is set up to accommodate those looking for dinner with friends, conversation at the bar, or films, performances and poetry readings in the back. The menu is full of simple, reasonably priced and delicious food (try the Poet pizza with portobello mushrooms, red pepper and mozzarella). Nate Stevenson, 52, an Arlington resident and a longtime patron of Busboys on U Street, reckons he has visited the new digs almost every day since it opened. "It has the same great service, quality and atmosphere," he says. "It's a great place to unwind, relax and socialize." Dana and Filipe Monroig, also of Arlington, originally visited because of a co-worker's recommendation and the promise of free WiFi. But the ambiance, conversation and crab cakes drew them back. "We've been here twice now," says Filipe, 31, "and we are definitely coming back." -- Justin Rude (Sept. 16, 2007) more