A busboy (or busgirl or busser) is a restaurant worker who clears dirty dishes from tables, refills water glasses, and helps keep the dining area clean and organized. When you finish your meal at a restaurant, a busboy comes by to collect your plates, wipe down the table, and reset it with fresh silverware and napkins for the next customers.

The job requires constant movement and attention. Busboys work closely with servers, who take orders and bring food, by making sure tables are ready and clean. In a busy restaurant during the dinner rush, a good busboy keeps everything flowing smoothly by clearing tables quickly so new guests can sit down, restocking supplies, and helping wherever needed.

Many people start their first restaurant jobs as busboys, learning how busy kitchens operate and how to work as part of a team. While the work is physically demanding, it teaches valuable skills about responsibility, efficiency, and working under pressure. Some busboys eventually become servers, managers, or even restaurant owners.