A Seat at the Table

The Making of Busboys and Poets

By: Andy Shallal

Narrated by: Andy Shallal

A Seat at the Table is the story of the founding of Busboys and Poets, a Washington, D.C.–based restaurant that has become a celebrated hub for political activism. Named in honor of Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy while writing poetry, the restaurant is the creation of Andy Shallal, an Iraqi American restaurateur, artist, and activist.

In this fast-paced, personal, and often humorous story, we follow Andy from his teenage years on, helping out in his family’s pizza business, changing his name, abandoning a career in medicine, working in some of the city’s best restaurants, and eventually opening a restaurant of his own.

A rave review by legendary Washington Post food critic Phyllis Richman puts the new place on the map. Long lines form outside.

Andy witnesses the power of food to bring people together. He creates a meeting space and a bookshop upstairs. The idea of a restaurant as a social and political hub begins to take shape.

In this book we encounter the galaxy of progressive authors and activists who have frequented Andy’s restaurants, everyone from Marion Barry and Jesse Jackson to Ralph Nader, Howard Zinn, Jerry Brown, Alice Walker, and Angela Davis.

Packed with misadventures, unexpected triumphs, and insights on race, business and politics, A Seat at the Table takes us on a “How I Built This” journey that ends with the opening of the first Busboys and Poets, now just one of eight D.C. locations bearing the same name. Along the way, we get to savor the delicious cuisine and unique ethos for which Busboys and Poets has become famous.

©2025 Andy Shallal (P)2025 Andy Shallal

Food, Culture, and Activism

Andy Shallal’s book, A Seat at the Table, is a testament to the power of food, culture, and activism.
While Andy once said his story would appeal to aspiring restaurateurs, this book is not just about Busboys and Poets - it is also the story of one of the most important activists of our time.
As a prominent DC food critic once described Andy’s restaurant as “simple and spirited,” I can attest that this book is as well. I would also add that it is poetic and, at times, deeply moving.