Busboys and Poets, restaurant and activist cultural space

Busboys and Poets was founded by Andy Shallal in 2005 at 2021 14th St NW and opened as a combined restaurant, bookstore, and performance venue aimed at linking food with social and political dialogue. The original location became a model for the chain's mix of dining, literary events, and community programming and has hosted readings, political events, and community meetings. The establishment is frequently cited in accounts of contemporary DC food culture for blending dining with activism and arts.