Busboys and Poets

Name: Busboys and Poets
Address: 625 Monroe St NE, Brookland, DC, 20017, US
Telephone: (202) 636-7230
Price range: $$

4.3 ★★★★☆

$$

Cuisine Type

Breakfast Brunch Coffee Shop Vegan

📋 Menu

Coffee ☕️

Coffee

Regular coffee - smooth with a bold body & a bright citrus acidity; notes of caramel. Medium dark Roast. Decaf coffee - spice-like aromas, pleasant flavors of fig, dates & raisins; medium body with a smooth finish. Dark roast

Lattes ☕️

Blue Matcha Latte

Butterfly pea powder, lavender syrup and choice of milk. Choice of hot or cold. What is Butterfly Pea Powder? Butterfly pea flower tea, is a caffeine-free herbal tea, or tisane, beverage made from a decoction or infusion of the flower petals or even whole flower of the Clitoria ternatea plant.

Spiced Chai Latte

In house: Hot: 12oz mug / Cold: 14oz pint To-Go: Hot: 12oz paper mug / Cold: 12oz plastic logo cup Directions: 3oz chai concentrate 3oz milk choice Steam together in tin if hot. Shake together over ice if cold. Garnish with powdered cinnamon

Matcha Latte (tea)

In house: Hot: 12oz mug / Cold: 14oz pint To-Go: Hot: 12oz paper mug / Cold: 12oz plastic logo cup Directions: 1 teaspoon matcha powder 6oz milk choice Steam together in tin if hot. Shake together over ice if cold.

Juice ????

Soda+ ????

Hot Tea ????

Books ????

Curlfriends: New In Town By Sharee Miller

New Kid meets The Baby-sitters Club in this graphic novel series opener about the Curlfriends, four inseparable Black girls who show us the meaning of true friendship--and being your true self.

I Affirm Me By Nyasha Williams

This board book adaptation of the successful picture book is an empowering alphabet book of affirmations to inspire and remind Black children of their inner power, strength, and worth.

Weathering By Dr. Arline T. Geronimus

Fusing science and social justice, a renowned public health researcher offers an urgent, monumental book exploring the ways in which systemic injustice erodes the health of marginalized people.

This Is The Honey By Kwame Alexander

A breathtaking poetry collection on hope, heart, and heritage from the most prominent and promising Black poets and writers of our time, edited by #1 New York Times bestselling author Kwame Alexander.

This Could Be Us By Kennedy Ryan

From the author of 'Before I Let Go' comes a deeply moving and personal novel about sacrifice, self-reliance, and finding true happiness from “one of the finest romance writers of our age.”

Ink Girls By Marieke Nijkamp

From bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp and breakout illustrator Sylvia Bi, this middle grade graphic novel celebrates the power that everyone has to create change. In a vibrant city that thrives on trade and invention, two girls from very different walks of life join forces to fight censorship and protect the people they love.

Your Voice, Your Vote By Leah Henderson

Discover both the past and present day's fight to vote with Quetta Little as she learns the power of casting your vote. The perfect companion for any young reader during election year!

How The Boogeyman Became A Poet By Tony Keith Jr.

DC native poet, writer, and hip-hop educator Tony Keith Jr. makes his debut with a powerful YA memoir in verse, tracing his journey from being a closeted gay Black teen battling poverty, racism, and homophobia to becoming an openly gay first-generation college student who finds freedom in poetry.

The Unfortunates By J.k. Chukwu

A bitingly funny debut about a queer, half-Nigerian college sophomore who, enraged and exhausted by the racism at her elite college, is determined to reveal the truth about The Unfortunates—the unlucky subset of Black undergrads who Just. Keep. Disappearing.

The Moon That Turns You Back By Hala Alyan

A new collection from Palestinian-American poet Hala Alyan traces the fragmentation of memory, archive, and family–past, present, future–in the face of displacement and war.

My Brother, My Land By Sami Hermez

A riveting and unapologetic account of Palestinian resistance, the story of one family's care for their land, and a reflection on love and heartache while living under military occupation.

Chicano Frankenstein By Daniel A. Olivas

A modern retelling of the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley classic that addresses issues of belonging and assimilation. With elements of science fiction, horror, political satire and romance, Chicano Frankenstein confronts our nation’s bigotries and the question of what it truly means to be human.

The Jinn Daughter By Rania Hanna

From Virginia-based author Rania Hanna comes a stunning debut novel and an impressive feat of storytelling that pulls together Middle Eastern mythology, magic, and ancient legend in the gripping story of a mother’s struggle to save her only daughter.

Imagination: A Manifesto By Ruha Benjamin

Drawing from the work of visionaries—including Black feminists, climate activists, Afrofuturists, and troublemakers of all sorts—Imagination: A Manifesto explores the possibility and practices required to imagine and create more just and habitable worlds.

Horse By Geraldine Brooks

A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, a Pulitzer Prize winner braids a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice

Black Women Taught Us By Jenn M. Jackson

Fearless essays that reclaim the work and words of Black women activists, abolitionists, and movement makers who have long fought for liberation and justice—from an essential new voice in Black feminism.

How To Live Free In A Dangerous World By Shayla Lawson

Poet and journalist Shayla Lawson offers daring and exquisitely crafted essays, where they journey across the globe, find beauty in tumultuous times, and powerfully disrupt constraints of race, gender, and disability.

Smoke Kings By Jahmal Mayfield

In the vein of Get Out and Razorblade Tears, a feast of noir fiction and probing social commentary that asks us to consider what would happen if reparations were finally charged and exacted.

Wandering Stars By Tommy Orange

From the author of the breakout bestseller There There, Wandering Stars traces the legacies of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School through three generations of a family in a story that is by turns shattering and wondrous.

The Black Box By Henry Louis Gates Jr.

A magnificent, foundational reckoning with how Black Americans have used the written word to define and redefine themselves, in resistance to the lies of racism and often in heated disagreement with each other, over the course of the country’s history.

Get Off My Neck By Debbie Hines

A deeply revealing exposé of the American prosecutorial system and its historic and present racial inequities—and how we can transform the system to one of fairness and justice.

There's Always This Year By Hanif Abdurraqib

A poignant, personal reflection on basketball, talent and allegiance, and of course, LeBron James—from acclaimed author, a gifted poet, and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib.

H Is For Hope: Climate Change From A-z By Elizabeth Kolbert

In twenty-six essays - one for each letter of the alphabet - the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction takes us on a hauntingly illustrated journey through the history of climate change and the uncertainties of our future.

Our Hidden Conversations By Michele Norris

Award-winning journalist Michele Norris offers a transformative dialogue on race and identity in America, unearthed through her decade-long work at The Race Card Project.

Swag ????

Red Wine To-Go

Pinot Noir | Grayson Cellars | Btl

Winery: Hahn Winery Region: California Sustainable Tasting notes: Dark cherry, strawberry, violets, sweet oak. Must be ordered with prepared food and 21 or older to purchase.

Malbec | Tilia | Btl

Winery: Santa Julia Region: Argentina Vegan, Sustainable. Tasting notes: Notes of black cherries, rose petal, black berry, chocolate. Must be ordered with prepared food and 21 or older to purchase.

Cabernet Sauvignon | Bernard Griffin | Btl

Winery: Barnard Griffin Region: Columbia Valley, Washington Sustainable. Tasting notes: Oak spices, vanilla, orange zest and dark berry. Must be ordered with prepared food and 21 or older to purchase

Renegade Red Blend | Ancient Peaks | Btl

Winery: Ancient Peaks Region: California Sustainable Blend: shiraz, zinfandel, malbec, petic verdot, petit syrah. Tasting notes: blue berry, boysenberry, cocoa and black cherry Must be ordered with prepared food and 21 or older to purchase.

Bottle Beer To-Go

Hold The Booze To-Go

Cocktails To-Go

Sparkling Wine To-Go

Prosecco | Zardetto | Btl

Winery: Zardetto Region: Italy Vegan and Organic. Tasting notes: Apricot, green apple, white flowers, citrus notes. Must be ordered with prepared food and 21 or older to purchase.

White Wine To-Go

Sauvignon Blanc | Villa Maria | Btl - To-go

Winery: Ponga Region: New Zealand Vegan and Sustainable Tasting notes: ripe citrus, topical fruit and white peach. Must be ordered with prepared food and 21 or older to purchase.

Riesling | Dr. Heyden | Btl - To-go

Winery: Dr. Heyden Region: Germany Vegan and Sustainable Tasting notes: lemon zest, peach, ripe apricot. Must be ordered with prepared food and 21 or older to purchase.

Chardonnay | Sean Minor | Btl - To-g0

Winery: Ancient Peaks Region: California Sustainable, Vegan Tasting notes: Tropical fruit, creamy toasty oak, pineapple. Must be ordered with prepared food and 21 or older to purchase.

Chenin Blanc/viognier Blend | Pine Ridge | Btl - To-go

Winery: Pine Ridge Region: California Sustainable Tasting notes: ripe peach, honey suckle, orange blossom and melon. Must be ordered with prepared food and 21 or older to purchase.

Draft Beer To-Go

Brunch Sides ????

Burgers ????

Egg & Cheddar Burger*

Brisket beef patty, fried, sunny-side up organic egg, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, brioche bun served with your choice of side. No egg substitutions. Possible Allergies: Dairy, Onion, Tomato, Gluten.

Mediterranean Lamb Burger*

Lamb patty (onion, garlic, cumin, paprika, parsley), tomatoes, cucumber, garlic herb yogurt sauce, pita bread served with your choice of side. The patty can not be modified. Possbile Allergies: Dairy, Onion, Garlic, Gluten.

Turkey Burger*

Turkey patty (ground turkey, shallots, mushrooms), lettuce, tomato, onion, chipotle mayo, brioche bun served with your choice of side. Patty cannot be modified. Possible Allergies: Onion, Mushroom, Gluten.

Vegan Burger

Mixed vegetable patty (green peas, cut corn, diced carrots, onions, green beans, soy flour, wheat flour, rice flour, brown rice, garlic powder), lettuce, tomato, onion, brioche bun served with your choice of side (Vegan). Possible Allergies: Onion, Gluten, Soy

Sandwiches ????

Falafel Sandwich

6 falafel balls, hummus spread, pickled radish, cucumber relish, tomatoes, onions, served on pita bread. (Tahini sauce is sesame seed paste and is in the falafel balls as well). Possible Allergies: Sesame, Garlic, Chickpeas.

Salads ????

New - Greek Salad

Romaine lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, mixed peppers, Kalamata olives, pickled banana peppers, feta cheese with lemon feta vinaigrette - Vegetarian * Possible Allergies: Dairy, Onion

Quinoa Kale Salad

Smith apple, red onion, goat cheese, fennel, toasted almond, dried cranberries, white balsamic vinaigrette (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free Friendly). Possible Allergies: Dairy Possible Allergies: Dairy, Nut

Spinach And Fruit Salad

Baby spinach, mango, strawberries, caramelized onion, grape tomato, goat cheese, roasted almonds, ginger vinaigrette - Vegetarian, Gluten-Free Friendly without bread * Possible Allergies: Dairy (goat cheese), Nuts (almonds), Onion.

Kids Menu ????

Paninis ????

Chicken Panini

Grilled chicken, pepper jack cheese, caramelized onion, spinach, tomato, chipotle mayo, ciabatta bread. Possible Allergies: Dairy (cheese), Tomato, Onion. Chicken is cage-free, veg-fed and halal.

Starters ????

Nachos

Yellow corn tortilla chips, guacamole, nacho cheese, shredded cheese, jalapeños, roasted corn, black beans, shredded lettuce, sour cream, pico de gallo (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free Friendly) You can add beef barbacoa or chicken carnitas. Possible Allergies: Dairy, onion, garlic, tomato

Shrimp Crab Fritter

Risotto fritters, shrimp, crab, roasted tomato coulis sauce. Fritters: Crab, Shrimp, Parmesan cheese, Onion seasoning. Possible Allergies: Seafood, shellfish, dairy, garlic, onion, tomato.

Benedicts ????

Sandwiches/Hot Paninis ????

Falafel Sandwich

6 falafel balls, hummus spread, pickled radish, cucumber relish, tomatoes, onions, served on pita bread. (Tahini sauce is sesame seed paste and is in the falafel balls as well). Possible Allergies: Sesame, Garlic, Chickpeas.

Chicken Panini

Grilled chicken, pepper jack cheese, caramelized onion, spinach, tomato, chipotle mayo, ciabatta bread. Possible Allergies: Dairy (cheese), Tomato, Onion. Chicken is cage-free, veg-fed and halal.

Pancakes & French Toast ????

Soups ????

Sides ????

Bagel & Muffin ????

Entrees ????

Fried Chicken

Choice of one or two pieces 6 oz. crusted chicken breast, mashed potatoes, collard greens, herb-mushroom sauce (Gluten-Free Friendly). Chicken is halal, cage-free, antibiotic-free and veggie-fed. Crust is buttermilk and cornmeal. Possible Allergies: Dairy (cream sauce and mashed potatoes), Onions (shallots), Garlic.

Fried Catfish

10 oz. fried catfish fillet, collard greens, capers, tomato couli sauce, jalapeno cheese grits, coated in cornmeal (Gluten-Free Friendly). Possible Allergies: Tomatoes, Onions, Garlic, Dairy

Blackened Salmon

8 ounce grilled salmon fillet cooked medium well, lemon butter sauce, wild rice, asparagus, corn salsa, cajun seasoning (Gluten-Free Friendly). Allergies: Dairy (butter sauce), Cooking Wine, Shallots, Garlic. Our Atlantic salmon is farm-raised in Fairy Island Scotland. One of our most popular dishes. Can be made without the sauce to be dairy-free.

Crab Cakes (market Price)

2 super lump crab cakes (eggs, mayonnaise, bread crumbs, old bay) green beans, remoulade sauce. Allergies: Gluten, Seafood (crab), Shellfish (crab), Onion. Can be served without sauce to be dairy-free.

Shrimp & Chicken Chorizo Pasta

Ground chicken chorizo sausage, shrimp, penne pasta, mushrooms, shallots, garlic, cajun cream sauce, parmesan cheese, garlic bread. Can be made without mushrooms or shallots. Chorizo is chicken sausage, not diced chicken and is not halal. Allergies: Seafood, Shellfish, Gluten, Dairy (cream sauce, parmesan cheese), Onions (shallots), Garlic, Mushroom.

Vegan Lovers Pasta

Penne pasta, vegan Italian "sausage," asparagus, carrots, mushrooms, celery, onions, shallots, garlic, herbs, vegan "Bolognese" sauce, garlic bread (Vegan). Possible Allergies: Tomato, mushroom, onion, gluten, garlic.

Bean And Rice Bowl

Black beans, wild rice, guacamole, and pico de gallo. (Vegan, Gluten-Free Friendly) Can be made without guacamole, pico de gallo, beans or wild rice. Allergies: Onion, Garlic, Cilantro, Tomato.

Salads ????

New - Greek Salad

Romaine lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, mixed peppers, Kalamata olives, pickled banana peppers, feta cheese with lemon feta vinaigrette - Vegetarian * Possible Allergies: Dairy, Onion

Quinoa Kale Salad

Smith apple, red onion, goat cheese, fennel, toasted almond, dried cranberries, white balsamic vinaigrette (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free Friendly). Possible Allergies: Dairy Possible Allergies: Dairy, Nut

Spinach And Fruit Salad

Baby spinach, mango, strawberries, caramelized onion, grape tomato, goat cheese, roasted almonds, ginger vinaigrette - Vegetarian, Gluten-Free Friendly without bread * Possible Allergies: Dairy (goat cheese), Nuts (almonds), Onion.

Brunch Specials ????

Sweet Potato Hash*

Roasted sweet potato, kale, onions, poached free-range egg, brown rice served in a hot skillet (for dine-in service). Remove the egg and this dish becomes vegan. Possible Allergies: Onions, Eggs

Omelettes/Eggs/"Eggs" ????

Chicken Chorizo And Egg Wrap*

Scrambled, free-range eggs, chicken chorizo, tomato, onion, green pepper, monterey jack/cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, flour tortilla. Possible Allergies: Gluten, Dairy, Onions.

Kids Menu ????????????????

Dessert

Sandwiches/Hot Paninis ????

Falafel Sandwich

6 falafel balls, hummus spread, pickled radish, cucumber relish, tomatoes, onions, served on pita bread. (Tahini sauce is sesame seed paste and is in the falafel balls as well). Possible Allergies: Sesame, Garlic, Chickpeas.

Chicken Panini

Grilled chicken, pepper jack cheese, caramelized onion, spinach, tomato, chipotle mayo, ciabatta bread. Possible Allergies: Dairy (cheese), Tomato, Onion. Chicken is cage-free, veg-fed and halal.

Busboys and Poets

Cuisine Type

📍 Location & Contact

🕒 Hours & Details

Hours

Restaurant Details

📋 Menu

Coffee ☕️

Coffee

Espresso

Cappuccino

Hot Chocolate

Iced Coffee

Americano

Big Daddy

Macchiato

Cafe Au Lait

Cafe Medici

Cortado

Milk/syrup Shot

Red Eye (coffee + 1 Espresso Shot)

Black Eye (coffee + 2 Espresso Shots)

State 51 - 12oz. Regular Whole Coffee Bean

Democracy - 12oz. Decaf Whole Coffee Bean

Renaissance - 12oz. Espresso Whole Coffee Bean

Lattes ☕️

Blue Matcha Latte

Spiced Chai Latte

Latte

Mocha Latte

Big Daddy

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Sweet Spice Latte

Matcha Latte (tea)

Hot Cider

Thin Mint Latte

Dirty Chai Latte

White Chocolate Latte

Turning Violet Latte

Juice ????

Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

Apple Juice

Carrot Juice

Cranberry Juice

Pineapple Juice

Pomegranate Juice

Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice

Mango Juice

Soda+ ????

Stubborn Cola

Stubborn Zero Calorie Cola

Sierra Mist

Stubborn Black Cherry Tarragon Cola

Stubborn Orange Hibiscus Soda

Stubborn Root Beer

Schweppes Ginger Ale

Club Soda

Lemonade

Lem/pom

Lavender Lemonade

Iced Tea

Ginger Beer

Tonic Water

Arnold Palmer

Arnold Palmer Refill

Shirley Temple

Shirley Temple Refill

Wild Bay - Kombucha (non-alcholic)

Acqua Panna Still Water Bottle

S. Pellegrino Sparkling Water Bottle

Milk

Plastic Bottle Water

Hot Tea ????

Jade Cloud (green)

Jasmine (green)

Turmeric Ginger (herbal)

Blueberry Hibiscus (herbal)

English Bfast (black)

Earl Grey (black)

Peppermint (herbal)