Busboys and Poets — Restaurant in Hyattsville

Went in last night around 10:10 pm. Checked the menu so I knew what I wanted. Got a booth .. waited way too long for my waitress to greet me more than 10 mins, When she does I order a drink appetizer and entree, she brought me a water. After my order I go to the rest room to wash my hands never used the actual bathroom just handwashing. Upon return to my table my water in about 60 seconds was removed ! By whom I have no idea because I saw them bussing their own tables. My drink arrives and it’s terrible not shaken properly not measured accurately just bad I ask for a glass of wine instead this exchange takes forever because she isn’t checking on me. Once I receive my appetizer I now have no drink. I’m looking for my server, can’t find her while I’m steadily seeing everyone be served and enjoying their food. The other servers are checking on the tables and on the floor mines can’t be found. I notice a manager an Asian man In a pink shirt. He notices me notices no drink on table and he to ignores the situation, which is why I didn’t bother asking for one. I’m still looking for my server. 12 mins later, my entree arrives and I have no drink still and haven’t seen my server ! I walk towards the bar where I finally see my server stocking oranges!! Are you bartending or serving ? I ask for a glass of wine that I ordered long ago and a glass of water I let her no my food is here and I have nothing to drink and that she hasn’t checked on me. The bartender low cut blonde said she’s about to get my wine I said may I have a glass of water as well my server says ok. When she delivers my water she doesn’t have my wine. She ask who took my water, I told her. I didn’t know, but she never apologized for leaving me thirsty and not checking on me. She bring my glass of wine at 10:40 something, yes I had to wait even longer for that after getting up. At this point I already know I’m not eating my salmon Caesar salad here because the vibes are terrible here and clearly I wasn’t treated with care respect or concern. I’ve never had a bad experience at bus boy and poets in my life. Smh For them to treat me this way in a space and place for us was poor in taste. She never told me her name either dark skin pony tail curl pattern to a bush and she wore a mask. Management needs to walk the restaurant ensure things are being ran smoothly not ignore guest when they see a problem. Talk to guest to make sure staff does their job. I still left her a small tip in cash although I felt a way about how poorly she treated me. I will never return to this location again....

Busboy & Poets has been one of my favorite local "Go To" spots for years since I first moved to the District.

Wednesday's (April 12) event was a University of Maryland- College Park, U of MDLAW Program.

It was held (conveniently nearby) in Hyattsville, MD, although I primarily attend various events, authors' book signings, panel discussions, etc... at their Flagship location on 14th St. NW in Washington, DC.

Also have previously stopped by the Anacostia site in SE, DC, with plans to travel to Virginia at some point and especially to Baltimore, MD later this summer.

The Baltimore Restaurant has special meaning, as there is a mural featuring my Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Sister's late Husband MD Rep. Elijah Cummings, on a wall in a private dining room.

(Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings & I are fellow alumni of Prairie View A&M University, TX.)

Busboy & Poet Restaurant has an eclectic array of books for the entire family & other merchandise for purchase.

[Sometimes, I will sit at the bar to dine, work & watch a little TV.

I purchased a few children's books for one of my nieces.]

The (budget-friendly) menu features an array of appetizers & entrées for all palettes & with many dietary requirements in mind.

[Although I did have dinner during this particular event, I recommend the salmon, I think there's a version of Cobb Salad that's good, too. The burgers & sweet potato fries, etc...]

Graciously, during this U of MDLAW Program celebrating the 55th Anniversary of the passing of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, scrumptious NACHOS were provided!

Nachos are definitely on my "comfort food" list, so it was an unexpected & pleasant snack during the talk, poetry, open mic & musical event.

[Their Nachos were a first, as I usually order them from more traditionally-authentic places. However, I would give high marks to their nachos.]

The relaxed atmosphere contributed to an overall positive vibe.

I learned a few things about housing worldwide, not just in the continental US.

The music was mellow and the Poets shared original relatable works of art via spoken words, bringing their words to "life" for the audience.

Thanks, U of MDLAW & Busboys & Poets Restaurant!

[Lastly, the private dining room in the back of the restaurant provided ample space for this affair.]

Kudos to All!

Excellent venue & program without a hitch!

Truly successful,...

We were there for the Marcus Johnson event. He's the reason, they're getting 3 stars for atmosphere. That space was nice. The service however, was VERY slow, very disappointingly slow. We ordered shortly after being seated and didn't get our appetizer (catfish tenders) until an hour later and they weren't even hot, barely lukewarm so we know they had been sitting before being brought to the table. While eating them, our actual meals arrived, again signalingis to believe our appetizer was overlooked. Before that however, I was given the wrong drink from the bar and made to believe it was correct. I was given a sparkling, fizzy drink. I ordered a LEMONADE based drink, not a sparkling one. When the correct drink came, the glass wasn't full and it was clearly lacking alcohol. I ordered the western omelet and asked for tomatoes to be added. There were NONE in my omelet. My grits were so lumpy, i didn't want to eat them. They looked dry too. My husband had a bacon cheeseburger with nothing on it but they brought him two tomato slices on a plate which he didn't eat because he doesn't like tomatoes and didn't ask for them. I asked for butter and GRAPE jelly. I prayed they'd be brought before my lumpy, lukewarm grits were cold. I got ice cold butter that didn't even melt in the grits and every flavor of jelly EXCEPT the grape i asked for. My husband's bread on his sandwich was hard. He commented that it must have been sitting under the heat lamp too long. Looking at the receipt I now see tomatoes were not added to my omelet but added as a side and brought to my husband with his burger and ultimately thrown away because he doesn't eat them. Never would i have thought my TWO DOLLAR tomatoes that were supposed to be in my omelet would be brought on a plate. This location is NOT equipped to be open, at full capacity, in the front AND to service an event of this size. I'm heard this location is terrible and now i see why. This location is an embarrassment to the Busboys and Poets brand. So glad this is not the closest location to me. I'll never visit this location again. If I wasn't understanding that servers are underpaid already, I would have left less of a tip than the one...