My 1st visit was incredible with great personal assistance from all Friday evening! Particularly Michelle assisted patiently my many questions with recommendations. Although she was working with large parties, there were many graduation parties being attended by other Servers by even their kitchen staff. It didnt matter whose area it was! The generous food portions surprised me during Happy hours! Delightful. Good The Ambiance downstairs was so friendly and ALL who i observed were welcomed and treated high class Returning for more possibilities experiences upstairs, has me curious to explore read more

Last night, my best friend (newly pregnant) and I were served by our lovely waitress, Michelle, and it was the most lovely experience! She complimented and congratulated my best friend, made sure we had plenty of time to catch up before ordering food, checked on us frequently and served with a huge smile. We're definitely coming back and will ask for Michelle :) The place also has v creative décor and pride inclusive! read more

A sincere shout out to Busboys and Poets. They are one of our go-to's for takeout on busy nights during the week. The Bacon and Cheddar burger with crispy fries or sweet potato fries are always great. The beet salad is to die for with a few nice touches like mango, some golden beets, candied pecans and a yuzu vinaigrette. The Inferno wings are a solid choice, my college was in upstate NY where "wings and pizza" shops are not uncommon. The Cubano panini, the Cobb salad, garlic bread, harissa soup, and chili bowl are also not only recommended but common orders. So sorry to Busboys and Poets for the delay and don't forget to visit too, there is a great vibe there. Enjoy! read more

summary: although I really want to like BB+P for the values they represent and their food is decent, it's really becoming a bit of a tough sell for me. I went because they sent me a promotion email for $10 off for a birthday meal. So, I went for a weekday early lunch when it wasn't busy. I think there must've been like 1 server for a 10 table section, but in either case, I had to wait like 10-15 minute just for my first interaction. I didn't really see the waiter again for another 20-30 minutes and when I did there were issues on their end honoring the birthday meal. At the end of it, the manager wasn't able to give me the $10 off, but rather they "settled" for 10% off the final bill... which isn't the same thing? Felt frustrating considering that was the primary reason I was there. At that point, I had already spent way more time than I allotted for, so I didn't argue. The food is pretty good and they have some legitimately cool events, but their service has been pretty spotty every time I've gone and it's hard to give a recommendation for it. read more

Busboys and Poets - kids chicken tenders - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

The staff seemed more focused on themselves than the guests. We waited over 15 minutes without a server and had to ask the host to send someone to our table. Service remained slow the entire time. The nachos took a while, our entrees took even longer, and the runner left our dirty appetizer plates on the already crowded table. At one point, we were even brought two entrees that weren't ours. The food was just okay. The mashed potatoes were creamy and the fried chicken was good, but the grits were hard. The hot wings were advertised as hot but tasted more sweet than spicy. Overall, very slow service and average food. read more

Busboys and Poets - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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Delicious food, wonderful service, relaxing and poetic atmosphere. So happy we finally have one close to us now, no need to drive all the way to DC any more. Highly recommend by this foodie ! read more

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Food was good. I ordered on their website for pickup. My food was ready when I got there. This is a really nice location. The outdoor eating area is beautiful and there's a shared parking lot. I would definitely go for dine in service at another time. read more

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Food: All of the food was good. The fries were a bit overdone. The shrimp had good flavor but was a bit spicy. I loved the antioxidant. Service: The service was great but a little slow since they were busy. Ambiance: The restaurant is very unique and decorated well. There's also a small selection of books for sale. read more

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Decent brunch place in the area! Really liked their crab grits for brunch :) Service is usually pretty fast and the place is very spacious, so you never have to wait too long to get a seat - even during the weekends which is WILD. They also offer a ton of gluten free options which I find surprising rare in the area. There is also a bookstore attached to the restaurant which is nice. Food-wise, I'd say it's generally about average, nothing mind blowing but never a bad dish. If you are looking for a chill brunch spot and want to avoid the wait, this is the spot for you! read more

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I've always wanted to try this place and ordered carry out breakfast-brunch here on a weekday. They made the food fairly quick and the pick up was speedy and effortless. One day I want to dine here as the ambiance is inviting- it makes you want to have brunch or go on a date here. They even have a store inside with books and other knickknacks. I got the Meklheme, an Iraqi beef and potato hash with fried eggs on top. It was served with toasted whole wheat bread. The beef had good flavor, but I found the meat (please note I rarely eat beef so I am not accustomed to how it should be) to be oily or fatty. Within a few bites I felt heavy and in a drowsy food coma. By the time I opened my food, the bread was sadly soggy- I wish it wasn't put within the Meklheme container itself. Overall, not bad. But, I wouldn't come again for this dish again. I have tried a bite of their famous Sweet Potato pancakes- they're tasty and don't even need the syrup as they're sweet! Perhaps next time if I come again for brunch, I'll opt for the pancakes. Does this place make me want to come back again? I don't feel the burning desire, but it's definitely something to come see for yourself anyways. read more

Food: my friend and I split the portabella shawarma (just ok) with the sweet potato fries (delicious and a generous portion), the blackened mahi mahi with green beans (solid, I loved the green beans), and shrimp and crab fritters (fritters were ok, dill pickle aioli was too watery and not flavorful enough). Had the "grown & sexy" cocktail, which was small but tasty. Overall, I think the food is solid for the price point and I love how many vegetarian and vegan options they have! Service: fast and friendly Ambiance: cute vibe, clean, good location with lots of nearby parking read more

Busboys and Poets - NEW - Portabella Shawarma & Blackened Mahi Mahi - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

The food has always been good but the service is absolutely horrible. We sat at our seats for approximately 20 minutes before someone even asked if we wanted water. Finally, a server came to our table to take our order. Due to our past experience, we knew to order our drinks and food while we were able to. After receiving our food no one came to ask us how our food was or check to see if we needed more drinks. Such a disappointment for a restaurant with so much potential. read more

Happy 20th anniversary to Busboys and Poets! From beginning to end, every dish was flavorful and fresh. The cauliflower bites were crispy with a creamy dipping sauce. The firecracker shrimp had the perfect amount of spice and the fennel salad complemented it well. I love how inclusive the menu is with halal, and vegan options. Their mocktails are also just as fun as their alcoholic drinks. I ordered the tropical breeze and it took me on a trip to the islands. My main dish was so good, I savored it until every grain of rice was gone. Everything went so well together, with the cream sauce bringing everything together. I can't go without mentioning how attentive and friendly the staff are. Our server, Mariana consistently checked on us and made sure our needs were met. Support a restaurant with a purpose and head over to busboys and poets -- you won't regret it! read more

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Hey friends! We came here to celebrate my godmother's birthday. She's vegan so Busboys & Poets was the perfect place for her. Busboys & Poets is a chic, trendy, inclusive spot that offers traditional American dishes along with an extensive vegan menu. They host open mics often for local artists. My meal was a split decision, I was in the mood for everything lol. I ordered the firecracker shrimp, a side of pancakes and a side of fries. Everything was delicious! Pancakes were fluffy, shrimp was flavorful but not spicy, fries were golden crispy. I ordered a mimosa, which are half off on weekends until 3pm. It was strong! -Customer service was great! Our waiter was attentive and personable. -There are two levels for dine-in as well as an outdoor patio. -There's free garage and lot parking close by. -Gets very busy on weekends, set a reservation! -Prices are average. -Great for groups/parties. I would definitely return to see what their open mic nights are like. Hope you enjoy! With love, The Picky Pescatarian read more

Busboys and Poets - Firecracker Shrimp Pancakes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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My friends and I came here for dinner on a Saturday evening. It was a little busy, but we were seated right away as it was an early dinner. Food: My friends and I shared the vegan nachos. They were pretty good, and I enjoyed them! The portion size was great to share. I ordered the vegan bbq beef sandwich with a side salad as my main. The sandwich was pretty good, and I would order it again. The side salad was pretty standard. Service: Service was a little slow. It wasn't too bad as it was a bit busy. Our nachos came out in a timely manner. It took some time for our entrees to come out. TL;DR - Lots of vegan options! Service can be a little slow. read more

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Amazing happy hour AND it's available throughout the restaurant. We OBVIOUSLY ordered TWO of everything. The brussel sprouts and crispy shrimp were the group favorites. I really also liked the lamb meatballs and chicken sliders. I was surprised the vegan nachos looked/ tasted like cheese. read more

Busboys and Poets - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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Finally made it to happy hour. Ordered some, wings and a new fashion. Wings were crispy and tasty. The new fashion was a different take of the original drink(old fashion). It was a good drink but a tad sweet to me. I followed up with an original old fashion and it was well done! Shot out to Jill for the great bartending! She had a great attitude and was very attentive. Although it seems like a lot of people were there it wasn't super loud. And the place was very clean. read more

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Busboys and Poets never disappoints when it comes to a chill vibe and seriously good eats. This burger? Juicy, stacked just right, and crowned with a mini pickle for that little extra flair. The sweet potato fries were perfectly crisp--like they knew exactly what my taste buds were craving. Bonus points for a menu that's just as thoughtful as the atmosphere. Whether you're there for the food, the art, or the convo--this spot brings it all together. Service Dine in Meal type Lunch Price per person $20-30 read more

Busboys and Poets - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

Food was tasty and service was very good. It was Juneteenth and restaurant was busy; however, we were seated pretty quickly. read more

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slowest service ever went here with a friend for brunch and my dog and wanted to sit outside. they were flexible with wherever we wanted to sit since i wanted to sit in the sun. it took 25 min for someone to just get us waters. and then we proceeded to wait another 30 min just waiting around for the check until we had to get up and find someone. i swear like we were served by 6 different people. even another table of customers got up and left because the there was absolutely no waitstaff there to check on anyone. food was pretty mid too, wouldn't come back here read more

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We had lunch this afternoon. We were seated between the bar and kitchen. The sun was shining bright from the huge side windows which also helped us stay warm. For those that complain about slow service, our server was perfect for what we needed. She was present as needed, not ignoring us or the opposite, checking so frequently you feel too rushed. She kept our glasses full which is a pet peeve and how I judge their efficiency... my glass should never be empty. We started the Brussel Sprouts with the peanut sauce. I had the shrimp and grits, which tasted as good as it looked! I enjoyed the asparagus and corn which add some texture not usually present with traditional shrimp and grits. read more

Busboys and Poets - Shrimp and Side Crab Grits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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I Love This Place, This Was Just My First Time At This Location. HAPPY HOUR DEALS Such A Good Value During Happy Hour. Definitely Will Try To Come Here During These Hours Often. FIRECRACKER SHRIMP - $6 Crispy With A Nice Sweet-Heat Kick & Perfect For Sharing. Wish It Was More Crunchy & A Tad Less Sweet But Great For The HH Price. MINI NACHOS - $6 Great Portion For The Price, Cheesy & Flavorful. CESAR SALAD WITH BLACKENED SALMON $33 Topped With Red Onions & Avocado. Fresh, Filling, & Nicely Balanced With Well-Seasoned Salmon. Definitely One Of My Fav Places For Salad, Not Cheap But Filling & Worth It! Drinks Water With Lemon Arnold Palmer -- Refreshing And Not Too Sweet. Great Service From Start To Finish. Friendly, Attentive, & On Point. I Love That There's A Bookstore Inside, But What Really Stood Out Was The Space. This Location Is Huge, With 2 Levels & Even An Elevator, Making It Feel Open, Comfortable, & Accessible. Same Busboys Quality I Love, Just On A Much Larger Scale. Great Food, Great Atmosphere, & A Perfect Spot For Casual Dining Or Hanging Out. read more

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As much as I want to give 5 stars because the food was amazing the kitchen did an amazing job on a busy Sunday, I can't give 5 stars because the service was abysmal. Our waiter only came by and took our order and we did not see her after that. We had to wave her down to order some more food and get some more water. The food though, was amazing like I said before. I got their vegan burger and their vegan egg wrap, both were delicious and had amazing flavors to them. I would still go back just because of the food. Huge shoutout to the cooks and the people who bring out the food as well. read more

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A fun and comfy place to have any meal of the day. This is a restaurant with a book store. They have food for all diets including vegetarian and vegan. They have an extensive array if vegan/veg food as well as drinks including coffee, tea, alcohol, and non-alcoholic. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. The inside is filled with art. The menu consists of sandwiches, salads, entrees, pastas, brunch/breakfast, and dessert options. They stop serving breakfast after 3pm. A little pricey but a good time. read more

Busboys and Poets - Desert pear, antioxidant mixed drink. One of their many alcoholic free mixed drinks - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

First time trying this location and it's been on my list! Love the aesthetics, art, books, all of it! :-) Great location and plenty of parking, perfect for a week day date night, if you don't feel like cooking and the Old Fashion wasn't bad also! I ordered the Cobb salad with blackened chicken and it was plentiful and pretty great, can't go wrong with a Cobb! Our waiter was the best and pretty attentive, everything came out pretty fast. I look forward to trying them out for brunch, which I've heard great things about! read more

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Tons of free parking and accepts cash and credit card. We came here one weekend to celebrate a family event. I've been to the location in DC and noticed there is a location in Columbia. Decided to give this place a try. The wait time was not too bad. It was around 20mins, but it only took us like 5 mins to get our table. The staff here were very friendly. We ordered their fresh orange juice, bacon / cheddar burger and their shrimp & grits. The burgers was very juicy. The burger came with a side and we ordered a side salad. Good portion for adult and kids. The shrimp and grits was decent. Tons of flavors, but the shrimps were overcooked. The orange juice was freshly squeezed, they have a machine where you can see the oranges being squeezed. Overall, decent restaurant. The location was nice for social events with friends and family. read more

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Stop playing so much bad, loud hip hop. We can't take sitting through 33 Drake songs!!!!

Just an okay spot to get brunch nearby. I wasn't a fan of everything. The bloody mary was just okay and the meal was just okay. Nothing special. I would probably check out other brunch spots nearby next time. read more

Busboys and Poets - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

Great spot in a family-friendly neighborhood, surrounded by shops and restaurants. The exterior is well-kept and welcoming, and inside, there's a cozy bookstore and a creative, artsy vibe. I believe they host poetry nights upstairs, which I'd love to check out next time. We stopped by for happy hour and enjoyed the firecracker shrimp, wings, and a purple cocktail--everything was tasty and well-prepared. The overall atmosphere was relaxed and inviting, and it even feels kid-friendly (there's a swing set outside!). My only critique is the customer service--it felt like the staff was a bit tired, and the greetings lacked the warmth I expected from such a vibrant place. That said, I'd definitely return, especially to catch an evening with live music or poetry. Worth a visit! read more

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This place is a lot of fun. There is a small bookshop inside. The food is excellent and the service is good. Nice that parking doesn't require a street crossing. I plan to try a music night at some point but have not yet. read more

Busboys and poets is a thought provoking dining experience. The vibe is welcoming, artsy, and family friendly. You have this wonderful bookstore that sits in the front of house so you can shop while you wait for a table or after eating. We were a party of 3 and it was busy on a Saturday early evening. Our server was knowledgeable and friendly. She recommended all of our meals but the kitchen came up short . I ordered the Vegan Beef Bowl and everything except the mushrooms were undercooked. Crunchy rice and veggies is no bueno . My son had a burger and fries it was perfect. We shared WINGS INFERNO but they were very mild. Cooked well but not even close to spicy. My cousin ordered the pasta with shrimp and sausage but the shrimp were over cooked. She barely finished her plate and washed it down with a Pink Drink from the bar. The location is residential and next to several other restaurants and businesses. Arrive early or be prepared to walk a short distance. 5 out of 10 ... kitchen needs to meet the standards of customer service. read more

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Celebrating 20 years in a creative and tasty way. I'd expect no different from this restaurant. This fall day was nice enough to dine outdoors. It would have been perfect if the lantern flies started away. We began with appetizers that were enjoyed by all, peep the photos. While waiting for the appetizers, our group spanning gen x to gen z enjoyed the music and our mocktails. They make some refreshing drinks. I also tried the complimentary champagne to celebrate their anniversary and with the fruit, it was good, like a mimosa. Our delicious entrees arrived at the same time and the tables near us join in the antics with the lantern flies. Ahhhh, the joys of fall in Maryland. Our server was great, she took care of us and checked in often! read more

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I want to start by saying that I love this place, the vibes are great downstairs, there's a cute bookstore to look through if your table isn't ready yet, and the half-off burger Monday deal is great! But... if you want to come on a weekend and you are sat upstairs, be warned that it will take FOREVER to be greeted by a server and even longer to get food and drinks. Your best bet is to order everything at once. I went with a friend and it took 20 minutes to be greeted, 15 minutes to put in an order, and 15 minutes for the drinks to come. We watched said drinks sit in the bar counter for those 15 minutes and he passed by several servers until they arrived watered-down. I do not blame the servers though, the restaurant is not staffed enough on weekends and the upstairs seating is not managed well. Servers have tables on both floors which I can imagine is really hard work, especially in the hot weather. Speaking of hot weather, we were never given water and the A/C was either not on or very low. Once we finally received our food and drinks they were very good as always (save for the drinks being watered-down as aforementioned). Again, not the server's, runner's, bartender's,or bus-people's faults! read more

I've eaten at Busboys and Poets many of times. Today wasn't their finest hour. I got there really early, there was only one other table sat. The restaurant is still as clean and beautifully decorated as it's always been. The playlist is still good as well. The service today was lacking and the food was just ok. Which was very disappointing because I love their food! I sat at the bar and ordered the Chai Latte. I'm not sure if the bartender was new but she didn't steam it long enough for it to be hot. When I said something to her she asked me if I wanted her to add more to my cup and I declined. In my opinion she should have remade the drink the right way but whatever lol. My bartender also didn't give any guest service at all, she spent the entire time restocking the bar. Because of that I didn't get the guest experience that I'm use to getting here. For my meal, I ordered the Vegan Hash and 1 sweet potato pancake. My meal took about 20 minutes to come out. And the hash wasn't as flavorful as I remembered, I think it was missing the vegan sausage. The pancake was good but it was small. Again I've been here a lot... so I'm hoping this was a one off occurrence. read more

Busboys and Poets - Sweet Potato Pancake - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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I really like this location and I've been a few times including for a poetry night event. I'm surprised I hadn't written a review. It's such a nice vibe and perfect fit for this area. Since first opening, so many businesses have popped up here, so parking isn't easy. That won't stop me from coming. Service is usually on point. The food and drinks are good. The happy hour specials are great! read more

I love love loveeeee Busboys and Poets! I come here every time I make a trip to Maryland, it's my go-to brunch spot. I've never been let down by their service, everyone is wonderful, patient, and always give the best recommendations. My go-to meal is the Shrimp & Grits which is so filling & rich in flavor. I love the Cajun cream sauce thats used in this dish. The house potatoes are well seasoned as well. I love the diversity in this restaurant. They even have a unique bookstore section that has genres for all ages & cute stationery items to purchase. It's perfect to look through while you wait for your table or even after your meal. read more

Busboys and Poets - Shrimp & Grits & House Potatoes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

Had a very racist experience here and was openly discriminated against a work event. My company tented the place out. I was the only Black person there and my service was unmistakably different than everyone else's, e.g. my drink order got forgotten while everyone else's was brought out in a timely fashion. Then my food was not brought out at all. There were over 100 people there and I'm the only one whose service was egregiously terrible. I reached out to management and they don't care. They never responded read more

Busboys and Poets - Letter they ignored - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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A consistently great dining experience regardless when you go! But they can be quite busy! It's best to check the wait list: https://www.busboysandpoets.com/contactus/ Their salmon and catfish dishes are amazing. My daughter started eating her salmon slower to make it last longer! My catfish with grits and collards was perfectly seasoned and pleasantly Southern. My wife enjoyed a nacho appetizer as a meal but clearly that would have to be shared as an app! My two complaints: service and ambiance. While our server was delightful, we were seated a while before she showed, received waters, shared our orders, and received refills. There were times I could barely hear my family's convos. The acoustics have always needed some support as the interior doesn't help with sound harshness. read more

The ambiance and atmosphere is amazing. From the music to the artwork and bookstore that's in house. I ordered the crab and shrimp fritters which were delicious and has a little kick to them. There's only 4 fritters so I had a salad as well. The service is friendly and knowledgeable. Overall a good experience oh the self care mocktail is definitely a must have read more

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A group of us went here for brunch on Saturday and it was great. It wasn't overly crowded. We got seated right away. The staff was nice and most of us had been to a location before, but you can't beat the decor. It's really the aesthetic that makes it so amazing. The food options were decent. We really plan to return! read more

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