• Busboys and Poets - Langston Lofts

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  • White Veg-options
Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
American
Pizza
Beer/Wine
Take-out
Gluten-free
Breakfast
Non-veg

Serves meat, vegan options available. Operates multiple indy bookstore cafes with a progressive mindset that promotes local businesses. This is its flagship outlet, est. since the 2000s in the Langston Lofts residential building in Washington's historic U Street Corridor. Menu marks the vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free food options. Vegan choices include breakfast wrap and scramble, vegan sausage and bacon, burger and sandwich, mac n cheese, salad, soup, and pizza. Open Mon-Thu 9:00am-10:00pm, Fri-Sat 9:00am-11:00pm, Sun 9:00am-10:00pm.


Venue map for Busboys and Poets - Langston Lofts
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35 Reviews

First Review by prettykitty

Mma13

Points +1442

Vegan
23 Apr 2024

Tons of options, just ok experience

I had the vegan chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries. The sandwich was a little dry- needed more sauce. And the restaurant had a musty smell and there was some trash on the floor by our table. Quality of food/drink was standard and service was good. You won’t find a place with more vegan options- it’s almost half the menu!

veganjas64

Points +1035

Vegan
15 Sep 2023

Cute Establishment, OK Food/Service

The menu has tons of options, and is clearly meant to be a breakfast/brunch establishment. Went for dinner and service was slow and they did not allow menu additions of tofu despite having tofu items on the menu.

Pros: Vegan dessert option, Wide variety of food choices

Cons: Couldn’t add tofu to a salad

etoile

Points +323

Vegetarian
23 Sep 2022

One of my favorites

I love the vegan tuna salad sandwich. I get it almost every time I come here, now that they don't have the vegan pepperoni pizza anymore. There's also several other options - vegan nachos, soups, burger, etc.

The "Korean BBQ chicken bites" are disappointing, though - a small portion for a lot of money, and not that good. I won't get them again.

My alcoholic drink of choice is the DC Tap Water - highly recommended.

Cons: Always crowded - reservations recommended

JonJon

Points +20546

Vegan
05 Sep 2022

Good vegan options in great vibes

This restaurant, which is also a bookstore, offers plenty of vegan options and has a great atmosphere. I tried the vegan burger which was very good and hearty, as well as the vegan chicken bites which were very well done. The texture and taste were very interesting. The prices are correct and the setting is nice. To consider before going to party on U Street!

Pros: several vegan options, good food, nice vibes

Cons: not 100% vegan

bEzz

Points +1702

Vegan
03 Jul 2022

Support this business!

Excellent food, excellent drinks, excellent ambience. I would come here daily if I could.

Pros: Lots of clearly labeled vegan options, Indie bookstore attached!

Ioannam

Points +122

Vegan
20 Mar 2022

Loved it

This place has so many vegan options! Burgers, paninis, sandwiches, salads as well as tofu scrabble!
Loved my quinoa bowl! Such a big portion and so yummy

Updated from previous review on 2022-03-20

Pros: So many vegan options

Cons: Very busy with a waiting list, No vegan dessert option

SteveQuimby

Points +44

Vegan
15 Sep 2021

Progressive atmosphere, amazing food

This place is a real gem! It is very progressive with progressive books in the bookstore, art of revolutionaries, and kind staff. We had the vegan scramble and it was honestly the best I have ever had, and I've tried vegan scrambled all over the place. We also had the avocado panini and it was more a sandwich than panini, but no doubt delicious! We had the tomato soup as side and I highly recommend it. Overall I can't recommend this place enough and will definitely go back!

Pros: Amazing food, Progressive atmosphere, Cheerful, kind staff

jchongster

Points +718

Vegan
15 Sep 2021

Would give 5-stars if I could

We loved this place so much we stopped by 2 days in a row during our visit to DC. The breakfast tofu scramble was the best we’ve ever had. The tomato soup was fantastic. And we ordered asparagus as a side for the avocado panini. The crispy chicken sandwich is also excellent. Take some time to browse the bookstore !

Pros: Delicious vegan options, Ultra hip ultra friendly service, Progressive welcoming space

gabandtonic

Points +2986

Vegan
09 Sep 2021

Great menu navigation

While the food was good- I was really impressed by the ability to filter only vegan menu options, which made ordering super easy. The Buffalo cauliflower was my favorite dish.

plant_based_babe

Points +161

Vegan
11 Nov 2020

Must try!

Highly recommend! Menu clearly labels vegan options. Even better, they have so many vegan options I had a hard time deciding what to order! I chose the vegan Korean beef sandwich and *muah* it was delicious! I’m eager to go back and try more. The vibe was awesome and there was a book store inside as well. All around great experience!

Pros: Lots of vegan options! , Delicious food, Awesome vibe

lizziecook3

Points +286

Vegan
15 Jul 2020

Great Vegan Food

Wonderful experience and even better food! This was perfect for my boyfriend and i since i’m vegan and he is not, there are a ton of options for both parties! Everything i got was AMAZING i was not disappointed i wish i could have tried more!🤩

Pros: lots of vegans options , great food, options for vegans and non vegans, cute restaurant

elisereed

Points +20

Vegan
29 Apr 2020

Great vegan burger!

also amazing vegan quesadillas and nachos! Would rate 5 stars if I could :))

Kasham

Points +562

Vegetarian
01 Feb 2020

Fantastic choices

This place has amazing food and several vegan options. Cool vibe

Pros: Lots of vegan options, Good portion sizes

CherylKL

Points +38

Mostly Veg
23 Sep 2019

Great vegan options!

I'm not used to being overwhelmed with vegan options!! I had their chicken sandwich based off the recommendation of our server and was very pleased with it. Can't wait to visit DC again to go back.

ajsleesman

Points +33

Vegan
31 Aug 2019

So many options!

Multiple vegan options for every type of dining (starter, sandwiches,entree). Also highlighted which wine options were vegan. Amazing food as well.

levi24

Points +644

Vegan
27 Jan 2019

Vegan Staple of D.C.

LOVE B&P, especially this location!

So many vegan options - I've gotten the vegan mac and cheese, burger, sausage, sweet potato fries. There are several other vegan entrees as well.

They have an amazing $5 drink deal on the weekend as well, and I know that they host various events there during the week.

Brusswole_Sprouts

Points +545

Vegan
23 Dec 2018

Love Busboys

Busboys and Poets is probably the best non-vegan, vegan restaurant I’ve ever been to. Though their menu is not entirely Vegan, their Vegan section is likely more extensive than many entire Vegan restaurant menus.

Chad_meyers

Points +147

Vegan
12 Oct 2018

Amazing food, cool ambiance and many vegan options

The menu had so many vegan options we didn’t know where to begin so we order a few to share. The falafel, fried cauliflower, Mac n cheese and the vegan nachos were a hit with our whole family. A must visit when in DC.

Pros: Kid friendly, Large portions, Delicious food

KellyHalverson

Points +30

Vegan
26 Sep 2018

Excellent food and atmosphere

We attended an event here and were happy to find that they had vegan options. The lively atmosphere was contagious, the bookstore was quaint and well stocked, the food was delicious. If I lived in the area, I would be back for sure!

Pros: Excellent, taste, unique food, Friendly waitstaff, Good location

Cons: Due to attending an event, only one vegan option, Only restroom is upstairs

mem2024

Points +450

Vegan
13 Jun 2018

So many options!!

I'd give this place 5 stars if I could. The vegan options seemed endless! The place has a great vibe, too. This is a great place to take both your vegan and meat-eating friends; there's something for everyone!!

EliseErickson

Points +78

Vegan
21 Mar 2018

Awesome Vibes

This place has awesome vibes and the staff is great. They don't have exciting whole food plant based options, but lots of vegan meat and salads. The fresh squeezed orange juice machine rocks, as does the bookstore.

Pros: great vibes, lots of vegan meat, OJ!

Cons: noisy, not many options if you're whole foods plant based

HilB

Points +272

Vegan
11 Oct 2017

Good vegan breakfast, fun location

Nice choice of vegan breakfast options in this trendy cafe bar in the lively U St area. It's part of a bookshop (which is well worth a visit anyway). I had scrambled tofu with a spicy vegan sausage, which was just right to start the day. Very friendly service.

LDR

Points +110

Vegan
06 Aug 2017

Fun & delicious

Delightful lively atmosphere, a true community hub for the arts and activism (they host events and have a well-curated bookstore as well as hosting a spacious, healthy restaurant). Menu has plenty of clearly marked vegan & vegetarian options, but also lots for omnivores so is perfect for a mixed group. I went for brunch & had the tofu scramble "egg wrap" which was delicious.

Pros: broad & varied menu with plenty of choices for veg, great bookstore, events & lively community vibe, multiple locations

Raynickben

Points +71

Vegan
28 Jul 2017

Cool place

Two vegans and two carnivores had breakfast here today and all left satisfied. I had the tofu scramble with vegan sausage and potatoes. They even gave me vegan butter for my bread. Nice! Service was slow but friendly.

Pros: Tasty food, Cool bookstore and restaurant combined

Cons: slow service

Horse_sas

Points +52

Vegan
09 Apr 2017

Lukewarm

My mom and I ate here last week during a visit to Washington DC, as it had been highly recommended by a friend. It's near K Street, so it was crowded and noisy. The interior is dim and feels like a Chili's or some other sort of big box chain restaurant. My virgin mojito was edible, but my mom's real mojito was horrendous and we sent it back. Who messes up a mojito?!? The vegan nachos were quite tasty, if greasy. My vegan salad was mediocre and was not terribly fresh. The tofu was processed and fried, and I hate rocket. My mom ordered collard greens and green beans, and the collard greens looked like seaweed and tasted worse, so those went back too. The brownie dessert was okay, but the soy ice cream was below par. Would not go back, I'm afraid.

Pros: Some Vegan Options

Cons: Food Quality, Atmosphere

AliciaAshton

Points +18

Vegan
01 Mar 2017

Amazing food & so many options!

As they handed me my menu, I was stunned by the amount of vegan options available. From sandwiches and hot paninis, to pizza (with daiya) and burgers, they have options for almost everything! Just watch out, if you're gluten free make sure their bread is vegan. The one I was given was not sadly.

Pros: Daiya cheese (pizza & nachos), Multiple vegan & vegetarian options

ChihuahuaMom

Points +51

Vegan
16 Nov 2016

Great atmosphere

I really enjoyed the couch seating. Our waitress was really sweet. I got the vegan burger and had to ask my friend if they accidentally gave me a turkey burger because the texture felt like a ground beef-like texture. I generally avoid meat/cheese subs for personal taste reasons, but I didn't mind the "meaty" texture. It still maintained that very natural and earthy flavor that peas and plants provide. To finish, we shared the brownie with soy vanilla ice cream. It was the perfect portion size for two girls who just attacked the entirety of a burger and fries.

Pros: Atmosphere, Alcohol, Variety of vegan entrees and dessert

Cons: Serves meat, Doesn't say what beers are vegan




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