Busboys & Poets Open!

excellent! haven’t been up to the one at 14th St so now can be extra lazy and just walk up to this one.

You know I’ve never been to the 14th ST location either, despite hearing such good things about it. This 5 & K location certainly is pretty, should be a fun spot. I have no idea of quality of food or prices for drinks though.

VERY underwhelmed by the 14th St. location. Food was mediocre, service was bad, book selection was bizzare. It actually made me long for Kramer’s (well, maybe not Afterwords food). Hopefully, the new Busboys location will be a step up on all three fronts.

I’ve been to the other Busboys & Poets a few times, nothing special to me, but a fair number of people seem to like the place.

Food is cheap but blah on 14th street, no one rushes you out; so it’s a place people can hang, other than a $bucks. Hopefully the new location will be better.

Yeah, never really got the Busboys and Poets thing. It mediocre at best. It’s communal so that’s a good thing.

I’ve actually never been to a Busboys and Poets. I will be going to this weekend.

I’ve rekindled a little bit of my dormant urban planner geek (minor’d in college) since moving to the city (and into a transitioning neighborhood). While not having been to Busboys yet I understand what its about and think it was a great choice for City Vista. Hopefully the food is decent. But it’s a gathering place first and foremost and the food is just part of the mix. They will host a variety of events from open mic night, meet the author, films, etc..

It’s more of what is called a “Third Place“. It’s part bookstore but not fully because to thrive it’s branded towards the ideal of “Experience Economy“. A place people will feel comfortable stopping by after work for one of the events or just to grab a drink and linger and chat. Some people might just do this at a pub while others are looking for an alternative.

It’s not going to be for everyone and probably won’t pass the muster for anyone evaluating it purely as a dining option (given all the PQ competition) but others will really embrace it. Great choice for CityVista as it is a distinctive anchor tenant that will pull people into the ‘hood.

Was the service as bad as at the original location?

I think of BB’s as more of a paradox, where you can pay $13 for a cocktail at a place that is supposedly a “place for the people” and is standing for social justice. The vibe inside the 14th Street spot is fueled by classic hipster elitism and pompous indifference…now fetch me my chai latte, hummus and veggie burder.

Hey!

Why, oh why, do the readers of this blog feel compelled to poo-poo everything before experiencing it?!

Before everyone slams the new B&P before going themselves, consider this…

B&P, as mediocre as the food is, and strange as the book selection seems, is an important meeting and arts space. The 14th Street stage is used for film, poetry, speakers, book readers, community events and more — all at VERY low rental rates in a clean, modern facility open to ALL.

I know of a dozen arts organizations that could not provide their programs and services without B&P and their support.

I hope the new location fixes some issues — but even if it doesn’t — it will be a great local hangout to see some of DC’s finest artists and performers for free, and a home for local artists to congregate and collaborate.

I really like Busboys and Poets. It’s a place to spend time with friends, eat reasonably-priced food, just hang out. There often are events, readings, performances. There is an interesting book store. Our neighborhood is filled with really loud, overpriced restaurants. There’s no good hangout place. Busboys will meet a very signficant need.

Hey! I know this doesn’t belong in this thread, but I am so happy to see that they are finally doing some work on the old CVS/Kam Fong buildings (workers were knocking down the Kam Fong facade today).

So what’s the skivvy, PQ Living? How long is it going to take? What’s the plan? That corner is such a blight on the neighborhood. Thanks!

Surely you all jest!

Its not a boring national chain, so it must be great.

wow there is so much pessimism. I’m positively ecstatic to have a nice sit down place with outdoor seating i can get breakfast at or a late night bite only a block away. As long as they dont spit in the food I’m pleased as punch! I cant imagine, everyone was so nice there. This is a fantastic addition to the neighborhood.

I’ve been to busboys on 14th twice, and went to the new one on 5th street last night. I never had a problem with 14th, service and food was good. 5th was just as good, beautiful 2-story restaurant with a kick-ass craft store called Global Exchange, no bookstore unfortunately! Busboys is a beautiful place, i know lots of friends who go there and don’t have bad experiences. Prices are reasonable, come on guys… we live in DC! prices are goin to be high so don’t complain, otherwise go to McDonalds – yuck! anyways, for all who have not been there, i HIGHLY suggest goin there at least once! after all, it was featured on the Travel Channel numerous times as one of the must-see highlights of DC. Go Busboys! =)

Si speaks wisdom – as usual. The key fact: B&P is open from early morning to late night, so having people in that area will make it safer for everyone.

The vibe inside the 14th Street spot is fueled by classic hipster elitism and pompous indifference…now fetch me my chai latte, hummus and veggie burder.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Hot dog! We have a weiner!

B&P is one of those great neighborhood places that everyone’s glad is there but most locals are totally indifferent to (e.g., used bookstores).

I agree with Jon. Why does everyone on the blog feel the need to complain. Although it may not have the best food in town, it does offer another option for Penn Quarter residents.

Would you all prefer that the space simply sat empty with “Retail Space for Rent” posted in the window???

Can we start being happy for the new establishments moving into our neighborhood?

I went to the new location twice and I am positively in love with B&P. The owners, programming director, managers, etc. all introduced themselves, asked us what we (the neighborhood residents) wanted the B&P to be in terms of food, programming, etc., and we already gave them tons of suggestions – they say they will expand their wine list because the denizens of 555 Mass are oenophiles. B&P on 14TH is not really my cup of coffee – with the socialist literature and mis-matched couches around communal coffee tables. I’ve never been to the Shirlington location, but I hear it’s totally different. The Northern Liberties location in City Vista is beautiful and will be something different altogether – whatever we make it. I’m spending my money in the neighborhood (just not at Louis’ Rogue!)

Busboys and Poets fails as a hangout spot. The service is miserable. The food is awful. For a hangout I prefer simple self-serve places, like Ebenezers on Capitol Hill. Heck, Union Station has much better food than Busboys, and you can get it quick. I’d prefer a simple low-key hangout place to Busboys (the Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum courtyard and the National Building Museum atrium are nice, but close too early.)

That said, B&P near U St is always packed, so the guy is doing something right. People do like the events, which I will admit is one of the better things about the place. Just eat before you go.

I’m not sure why I’m always drawn to these comments. People complain about vacant storefronts, and then complain when chain stores fill the storefronts. People complain when chain stores take the place of locally owned businesses, and then they complain that a locally owned business doesn’t suit their own individual needs.

Ten years from now, the owner of Busboys and Poets may be bankrupt. Right now, he’s taking risks and opening new locations and people are flocking to them. I don’t care what the food tastes like, but I’m elated that he chose such a risky location near my neighborhood, and I wish him the best of luck.

Just called busboys and poets, with a simple question…

Me: “Hey I saw you guys putting in some large TVs the other day, any chance you will be showing the Brewers/Cubs game on any of those TVs?”

Busboy: “Ummm, we don’t show sports on our TVs, there is a Hooters down the street.”

Wow so not only is their staff pretentious but jerks too. That’s quite the personality for someone who is proud to take peoples dirty plates away…

i’m surprised by all the naysayers.

what an investment by a respected businessman in your neighborhood. a real investment. he is assuming lots of risk in a new spot on the edge of pq and delivering a quality product.

embrace this type of place, because small business owners will have little to no say in the city center development, or whatever its called (the old convention center site).

do pq residents have no compass?

I have been twice already and thoroughly enjoyed the food and service! In my opinion they are are a very welcome addition to the neighborhood and I plan on giving them a lot of business. I suggest that our neighbors who have not been try them out. They are trying to market themselves to the neighborhood and really welcome feedback.

I went to the City Vista location last night to watch the debate. It was super packed, with a friendly crowd. I did manage to spend $42 before tax and tip on a bowl of soup, three beers, and two well drinks. So that seemed a bit high. But the food and drink were fine, the service at the bar was great, and it was a totally adequate place to watch the debate. I might go back for the VP debate on Thursday.

I’ve only been in DC for a couple of weeks, and I’ve ended up going to the 14th St. location twice because they have free WiFi and didn’t seem to mind me loitering there. It’s an odd place. I walked in expecting a coffee house, and it sort of is one: it’s a house that serves coffee. But the service is terrible (mostly due to understaffing and lots of business), and it didn’t really have a strong “third place” feeling to me.

hey sparky:
if not wanting to watch sports is pretentious than color me pretentious. the overwhelming majority of restaurants and bars DO show sports, sports and only sports on their tvs which i find a complete turn-off. so, i applaud Bus Boys for being a sports-free zone for those of us who don’t care to watch a bunch of overpaid guys run around a field and listen to annoying commentators wax on about it.

and seriously, are you really putting down the hard working guys and gals who earn an honest buck by being willing to clean up after you?.

My wife and I went for the first time last night (Sunday). I had no expectations going in, have never been to the other locations, am by no means an “artsy” person and the day I find myself at a live poetry reading is the day I know my body has been taken over by aliens. So here’s what happened: we had a delightful meal (tasty burger for me, terrific veggie pesto lasagna for her) nice wine, pleasant if slightly overeager service (including a welcomed check-in by the floor manager) in a very nice atmosphere. As a four-year resident of Penn Quarter, I am thrilled to have BB&P available. It’s a terrific alternative to Clyde’s and the outdoor seating is rivaled only by Zaytinya.

Sparky would probably ask Marrakesh to put on the Redskins too. He just doesn’t get it…

Clearly we should have checked the hours, as a starving Mrs Columbo & I tried to go to B&P on Saturday around 3:30 for a late lunch before hitting the grocery store. Turns out then don’t open until 5:30.

You know how they say don’t go shopping on an empty stomach? Safeway made out big time on our impulse purchases.

it’s not that BB&P doesn’t show sports that’s the problem – the fact that “the overwhelming majority of restaurants and bars DO show sports” is met with the condescending attitude that “there’s a Hooters down the street” makes it not only pretentious but pretty obnoxious.

Columbo-I tried to go to B&P for brunch on Sunday and the employee walking in said that they were going to start serving lunch/brunch sometime this week.

Thank you all for the warm welcome to the community! Please know that we appreciate all of your feedback and will use your comments – both positive and not so great – as a tool to evolve and serve you better.

~~ Exciting News ~~
We are now serving LUNCH! Monday – Friday @ 11 AM and serving BRUNCH on Saturday & Sunday 10 AM – 3 PM. See you soon!

We tried to go there for lunch as well on Saturday and was equally disappointed. I still can’t fathom how they wouldn’t be open on the first weekend for lunch and make use of all the buzz that was going around all week about them … had planned the weekend’s outing around lunch there and it put a damper on things … I have yet to read anywhere that they weren’t going to be open the first weekend for lunch … all references (even in the comments after opening) stated they’re open for lunch/brunch. No real hurry now, we’ll get there when we get there.

frankly, I don’t see the big fuss about being told that the nearest bar to watch sports is Hooters when in fact one of the nearest bars to watch sports is Hooters. there was no mention of tone of voice so I can’t make any assumptions. they won’t be showing the game at the Safeway!

the other nearest bars to watch sports could be the Old Dominon Brewpub on 7th St, the Irish Channel, RFD and Fado…the last two of which are near… tada… Hooters.

that said, I’m glad *some* place is a sports free zone.