Busboys & Poets is one of U Street's linchpins. Locals pack the place for coffee, boozy brunches, books and a progressive vibe that makes San Francisco feel conservative. The lengthy, vegetarian-friendly menu spans sandwiches, pizzas and Southern fare such as shrimp and grits. Tuesday night's open-mike poetry reading ($5 admission, from 9pm to 11pm) draws big crowds.

　　The cafe's slate of events also includes story slams, film screenings and discussion series. The front bookstore, which stocks loads of social justice works and titles by local authors, is an inspiring browse. B&P has grown to include seven locations in the DC region, but this one is the flagship.