Busboys and Poets – American
This vibrant cultural hub hums with the soulful energy of a bookstore and community gathering place, where the aroma of global spices mingles with the rustle of turning pages and spirited conversation. The kitchen serves up an eclectic tapestry of comfort food, from zesty firecracker shrimp and tender lamb meatballs to inventive vegan bites that invite guests to linger over shared plates in a warm, artistic atmosphere.
2004, Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC, 20020 https://www.busboysandpoets.com/locations/?location=anacostia&venue=anacostia0Cuisine: American
Price range: $
Dietary options: vegetarian, nut-free, high-protein, gluten-free, halal, vegan, dairy-free, low-carb, keto, pescatarian, sugar-free, mediterranean, heart-healthy, plant-based, diabetic, high-fiber, anti-inflammatory, clean-eating, low-cholesterol, atkins, south-beach, volumetrics, detox, alkaline, tlc, mayo-clinic, slow-carb, candida, lectin-free
Currently open
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Menu
Appetizers
- Hummus - $9: housemade hummus, kalamata olives, paprika with pita Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Mayo-Clinic
- 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
- Firecracker Shrimp - $15: chile sauce, fennel, onion, cabbage slaw Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Crispy Cauliflower Bites - $12: cauliflower, garlic harissa, cilantro-lemon aioli Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts - $10: Brussels Sprouts, Peanuts, Chili Sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol
- 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
- Catfish Fingers - $14: fried catfish strips, dill pickle aioli Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Lamb Meatballs - $14: halal lamb, feta cheese, tomato sauce, served with pita bread Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Nut-Free, Mediterranean
- Nachos - $15: Yellow corn chips with guacamole, cheese, jalapeños, corn, black beans, sour cream, pico de gallo Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free, High-Fiber
- Wings Inferno - $13: 6 hot wings with blue cheese Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Atkins
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, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins, South-Beach
- 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
- 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, Mayo-Clinic
- 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
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
- Fried Catfish - $23: collard greens, herb grits, capers, and tomato couli sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Blackened Salmon - $26: wild rice, asparagus, roasted corn salsa, tomato, shallots, lemon butter sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Mayo-Clinic
- Shrimp & Grits - $27: 5 tailed shrimp, tomato, roasted corn, asparagus, Cajun cream sauce, crab grits Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- 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
- Crab Cakes: Super lump crab cake, eggs, bread crumbs, green beans, remoulade sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
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
- 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
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
Sides
- Sweet Potato Fries - $6 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol
- Crab Grits - $10 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Collard Greens - $6 Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins, South-Beach, High-Fiber, Volumetrics, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Slow-Carb, Candida, Lectin-Free