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: halal, high-protein, low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, carnivore, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, juice-cleanse, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb
Currently open
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 8:00 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: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Firecracker Shrimp - $15: chile sauce, fennel, onion, cabbage slaw Dietary tags: Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Crispy Cauliflower Bites - $12: cauliflower, garlic harissa, cilantro-lemon aioli Dietary tags: High-Protein, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts - $10: Brussels Sprouts, Peanuts, Chili Sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline Available at: dinner, lunch
- Vegan BBQ Chicken Bites - $11: soy protein, scallions, spicy Korean BBQ sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Catfish Fingers - $14: fried catfish strips, dill pickle aioli Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Lamb Meatballs - $14: halal lamb, feta cheese, tomato sauce, served with pita bread Dietary tags: Halal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Nachos - $15: Yellow corn chips with guacamole, cheese, jalapeños, corn, black beans, sour cream, pico de gallo Available at: dinner, lunch
- Wings Inferno - $13: 6 hot wings with blue cheese Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Low-Sodium, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced 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 Available at: dinner, lunch
- Falafel Salad - $14: falafel, mixed field greens, tomato, cucumber, dates, pumpkin seeds, dijon vinaigrette Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Quinoa Kale Salad - $15: Smith apple, red onion, goat cheese, fennel, toasted almond, dried cranberries, white balsamic vinaigrette Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Steak & Asparagus Salad - $22: sirloin steak, asparagus, baby kale, fingerling potato, tomato, caramelized onion, cucumbers, gorgonzola cheese, yuzu vinaigrette Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Courses
- Blackened Mahi Mahi - $24: mahi mahi, jasmine rice, french beans, grilled pineapple salsa, lemon butter sauce Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fried Catfish - $23: collard greens, herb grits, capers, and tomato couli sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced Available at: dinner, lunch
- Blackened Salmon - $26: wild rice, asparagus, roasted corn salsa, tomato, shallots, lemon butter sauce Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shrimp & Grits - $27: 5 tailed shrimp, tomato, roasted corn, asparagus, Cajun cream sauce, crab grits Dietary tags: High-Protein, Anti-Inflammatory 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: Halal, Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced Available at: dinner, lunch
- Crab Cakes: Super lump crab cake, eggs, bread crumbs, green beans, remoulade sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, TLC 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: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shrimp & Chicken Chorizo Pasta - $25: penne pasta, spicy chicken chorizo sausage, shrimp, mushrooms, shallots, cajun cream sauce, parmesan, garlic bread Available at: dinner, lunch
Beverages
- DC Tapwater Cocktail - $11.75: Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Blue Curaçao, Black Razz, Pineapple Juice, Sour Mix, Starry Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Juice-Cleanse, Lectin-Free
- Poet's Mojito - $11.75: Silver Rum, Agave, Club Soda, Mint, Muddled Orange, Lime Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol, TLC
- Busboys Sangria - $11.75: Red and White Wine, Passionfruit Rum, Bourbon, Mixed Juices, Club Soda Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal
- Busboys and Poets House Coffee - $4.25: iced or hot Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free
- Spiced Chai Latte - $5.5: organic chai and steamed milk
Sides
- Sweet Potato Fries - $6 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Crab Grits - $10 Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch
- Collard Greens - $6 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Carnivore, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, AIP, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Restaurants near Busboys and Poets
- The Brig — American
- Trusty's — American
- Rose's Luxury — American
- As You Are — American
- Little Pearl — American
- Llamabar Cafe — American
- Kitchen Savages — American
- Cheers @ The Big Chair — American
- Cultural Citations — American
- Uniontown Bar & Grill — American
- Peregrine Espresso — American
- The Eastern — American
