Busboys and Poets, Arlington, Va.

Description

Checklist

Doors:  single door at street level
Ramps:  slight ramp to restroom
Steps and staircases:  step up to some seating
Width of aisles:  adequate
Places to sit:  booths, table and chairs,
Location of restrooms:  one is down ramp, other is at back
Type of restroom:  Multi-stall and single occupancy, handicapped accessible
Ease of entry and exit:  good
Baby changing station:  yes
Friendliness of staff:  pleasant, accommodating
Notes:  * Parking is either on street or at a nearby garage.

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An early morning breakfast visit with our niece brought us to the Arlington, Va. outpost of “Busboys and Poets.” The intriguing name made me wonder what we would find there.  An inviting restaurant/bookstore/event space was what we found. “The name refers to the American poet Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy prior to gaining recognition as a poet.” (website)

The website says, “…a place to take a deliberate pause and find your mind, body and soul…a community gathering place…first established in 2005…now located in four distinctive neighborhoods in the Washington Metro area…a community resource for artists, activists, writers, thinkers, and dreamers.”

Busboys and Poets “…aims to be not just a restaurant, but also a space in which intellectual, cultural, political and social issues can come together for a discussion that benefits everyone.  Our bookstore aims to be a space in which literature, politics, society and  social justice can be engaged within a productive and exciting atmosphere.”(website)  One has only to click on the website to see the wide variety of activities taking place here;  book clubs, author events promoting the work of local authors and so much more. Wow!

Since it was early we had no trouble finding metered parking on the street.  We were told that there are garages nearby.

The street level entrance brought us to an unusual and inviting space, part restaurant, part bar, part bookstore (with couches). The bookstore section of this venue seems as inviting as the dining area.  Some of the seating requires a step up, but there were more than enough seats at street level.  Maneuverability was not a problem. The staff was more than accommodating in trying to make us comfortable.

There is a multi-stall, handicapped-accessible, as well as a single-occupancy, handicapped-accessible restroom down a slight ramp.

This establishment serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.  With vegetarian, vegan and gluten free choices as well as more conventional fare, there is something for everyone – to feed his/her mind as well as stomach. Our server was pleasant and efficient.

As always, we at Destination Accessible, advise you to check a venue’s website, www.busboysandpoets.com, when planning a visit, to “know before you go.”

Location

Nearby