Busboys and Poets – American
This bustling cultural crossroads pulses with creative energy, where floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and vibrant murals provide a soulful backdrop for community and conversation. The kitchen serves up an inclusive array of spirited comfort food, from zesty firecracker shrimp and tender lamb meatballs to golden, crispy cauliflower bites that celebrate bold, communal flavors. Whether sharing a plate of loaded vegan nachos or savoring delicate shrimp and crab fritters, guests find themselves immersed in an atmosphere that nourishes both the palate and the spirit.
235, Carroll Street Northwest, Washington, DC, 20012 +12027260856 https://busboysandpoets.com0Cuisine: American
Price range: $$
Dietary options: vegetarian, nut-free, gluten-free, high-protein, low-carb, vegan, dairy-free, halal, mediterranean, pescatarian, plant-based, sugar-free, diabetic, heart-healthy, low-fat, high-fiber, atkins, south-beach, anti-inflammatory, clean-eating, low-cholesterol, volumetrics, tlc, detox, alkaline, zone, mayo-clinic, slow-carb, macrobiotic, pegan
Currently open
Hours
- Monday - Thursday
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Friday
- 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- Saturday
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- Sunday
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Menu
Appetizers
- Hummus - $9: housemade hummus, kalamata olives, paprika with pita Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shrimp & Crab Fritters - $16: shrimp, crab, onion, bell peppers, corn, eggs, parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, bread crumbs, dill pickle aioli Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Firecracker Shrimp - $15: chile sauce, fennel, onion, cabbage slaw Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Crispy Cauliflower Bites - $12: cauliflower, garlic harissa, cilantro-lemon aioli Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts - $10: Brussels Sprouts, Peanuts, Chili Sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol Available at: dinner, lunch
- Vegan BBQ "Chicken" Bites - $11: soy protein, scallions, spicy Korean BBQ sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Cholesterol Available at: dinner, lunch
- Catfish Fingers - $14: fried catfish strips, dill pickle aioli Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Lamb Meatballs - $14: halal lamb, feta cheese, tomato sauce, served with pita bread Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Nut-Free, Mediterranean Available at: dinner, lunch
- Nachos - $15: Yellow corn chips with guacamole, cheese, jalapeños, corn, black beans, sour cream, pico de gallo Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Vegan Nachos - $15: yellow corn chips, guacamole, vegan cheese, pico de gallo, vegan sour cream, black beans Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Sugar-Free, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol Available at: dinner, lunch
- Wings Inferno - $13: 6 hot wings with blue cheese Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Salads
- Cobb Salad - $18: grilled chicken, chopped romaine, boiled egg, red onion, tomato, gorgonzola cheese, bacon, roasted corn, avocado, ranch dressing Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Falafel Salad - $14: falafel, mixed field greens, tomato, cucumber, dates, pumpkin seeds, dijon vinaigrette Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Anti-Inflammatory, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Caesar Salad - $10: chopped romaine lettuce, croutons, parmesan cheese, Caesar dressing Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Volumetrics Available at: dinner, lunch
- Busboys House Salad - $8: mixed greens, tomato, carrot, roasted corn, yuzu vinaigrette Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Pegan Available at: dinner, lunch
- Quinoa Kale Salad - $15: Smith apple, red onion, goat cheese, fennel, toasted almond, dried cranberries, white balsamic vinaigrette Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Anti-Inflammatory, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Volumetrics, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Greek Salad - $15: romaine lettuce, onions, kalamata olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, mixed bell peppers, feta cheese, pickled banana peppers, lemon feta vinaigrette Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Volumetrics, Mayo-Clinic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Steak & Asparagus Salad - $22: sirloin steak, asparagus, baby kale, fingerling potato, tomato, caramelized onion, cucumbers, gorgonzola cheese, yuzu vinaigrette Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, High-Fiber, Volumetrics, Mayo-Clinic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Salad Nicoise - $22: Pan-seared Sesame Tuna, Mixed Field Greens, Boiled Eggs, Fingerling Potatoes, Tomatoes French Green Beans, Kalamata Olives, Lemon Herb Vinaigrette Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Mayo-Clinic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Roasted Beet Salad - $16: mixed greens, beets, onion, mango, goat cheese, candy pecan, yuzu vinaigrette Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber, Volumetrics, Mayo-Clinic Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Courses
- Blackened Mahi Mahi - $24: mahi mahi, jasmine rice, french beans, grilled pineapple salsa, lemon butter sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Anti-Inflammatory, Clean-Eating, Mayo-Clinic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fried Catfish - $23: collard greens, herb grits, capers, and tomato couli sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Blackened Salmon - $26: wild rice, asparagus, roasted corn salsa, tomato, shallots, lemon butter sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Detox, Mayo-Clinic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shrimp & Grits - $27: 5 tailed shrimp, tomato, roasted corn, asparagus, Cajun cream sauce, crab grits Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fried Chicken - $23: 2 pieces of cage-free and halal chicken breast, buttermilk, herb mushroom cream sauce, mashed potatoes, collard greens Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Crab Cakes: Super lump crab cake, eggs, bread crumbs, green beans, remoulade sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Beans & Wild Rice - $13: black beans, fresh guacamole, pico de gallo Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
Pasta
- Vegan Lover's Pasta - $19: penne pasta, vegan Italian sausage, asparagus, mushrooms, carrots, celery, onions, shallots, garlic, thyme, rosemary, oregano, vegan bolognese sauce, tomato sauce, garlic bread Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Mayo-Clinic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shrimp & Chicken Chorizo Pasta - $25: penne pasta, spicy chicken chorizo sausage, shrimp, mushrooms, shallots, cajun cream sauce, parmesan, garlic bread Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Burgers & Sandwiches
- Busboys Burger - $15: brisket ground beef patty, lettuce, tomato, onion, brioche bun Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Vegan Burger - $15: black bean, chickpeas, corn, mixed peppers, rice, oats, arugula, avocado, tomato, vegan chipotle mayo, brioche bun Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Mayo-Clinic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fried Chicken Sandwich - $16: cage-free, veg-fed halal chicken, buttermilk, shredded lettuce, tomato, dill pickles aioli, brioche bun Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Nut-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Cubano Panini - $16: pulled pork, ham, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, dijonnaise, ciabatta bread Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Beverages
- DC Tapwater Cocktail - $11.75: Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Blue Curaçao, Black Razz, Pineapple Juice, Sour Mix, Starry
- Poet's Mojito - $11.75: Silver Rum, Agave, Club Soda, Mint, Muddled Orange, Lime
- Busboys Sangria - $11.75: Red and White Wine, Passionfruit Rum, Bourbon, Mixed Juices, Club Soda
- Busboys and Poets House Coffee - $4.25: iced or hot
- Spiced Chai Latte - $5.5: organic chai and steamed milk
Restaurants near Busboys and Poets
- Donut Run — American
- Takoma Beverage Company — American
- Juneberry Garage — American
- Bump N Grind Analog Market Pop Up — American
- Jackie Lee's — American
- Wings on Deck — American
- Sticky Fingers — American
- Quarry House Tavern — American
- Senbeb Café — American
- McGinty's Public House — American
- Fuddruckers — American
- Wonder Chicken — American
