Andy Shallal
Restaurateur / Owner
Bus Boys and Poets
Washington, DC USA
“I learned from my failures a lot and used them for a launching pad for the next project.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationAndy Shallal
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Family moved to U.S. from Iraq when he was 11 years old.
Finished college early, got into medical school at Howard University.
Realized that medical school wasn't for him and quit after one semester; says he's never afraid to quit something.
While working as a waiter on the West Coast, realized he loved the restaurant business.
Opened his first restaurant in northern Virginia; opened and sold restaurants for some time to build a portfolio.
Finally opened his dream restaurant, Busboys and Poets; built as a "vehicle" for conversation, more than just a restaurant.
Opened the restaurant in his hometown, Washington D.C., in an effort to give back to his community, honor its history.
Stresses that he had many failed restaurants before he found a concept that worked, was successful.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Bachelor
Catholic University of America
Catholic University of America
Career
Restaurateur / Owner
I create a space for art, culture and politics to collide, to inspire social change and transform our communities.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Entrepreneurship
Food
Communicating / Sharing Stories
Interviewed By
Washington, D.C. - New York City
While in Washington, D.C., the Roadtrippers head over to the International Child Art Foundation's headquarters to meet with its founder, Dr. Ashfaq Ishaq. He tells them about the importance of nurturing creativity in young minds. Then the team moves on to the popular D.C.-based restaurant Busboys and Poets to speak with its owner, Andy Shallal. The Roadtrippers hear about learning from failures, and they leave feeling uplifted. From there, they fly back to Chicago to pick up the Green RV from the mechanic to hit the road to New York. In New York City, they meet with dance legend Judith Jamison and catch a performance at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Central Park.
