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Downtown fresh: New ‘Kitchen’ offers quick lunch options

By Melissa Wagoner

Employee, Milui Smith, and owner, Holly Bell at Curbside Kitchen

When asked to describe the kind of cuisine offered by the newly opened The Curbside Kitchen – a restaurant offering “quick bites to go,” in downtown Silverton – owner Holly Bell uses the words “fresh” and “clean.”

Located in one of the smallest storefronts in Silverton, there is little space available for freezers and pantries, which means almost everything is made to order. 

“We have a lot of gluten-free options too,” Bell said. She understands the importance of offering allergy-free selections, owing to her own gluten allergy and her husband’s lactose intolerance. “Any sandwich you can have over brown rice and dairy-free as well.”

Opened on May 1,  Curbside Kitchen focuses on grilled panini sandwiches, fresh-made salads and rice bowls. 

“My husband is really into paninis,” Bell explained. “So, I said – I’ll do salad and rice bowls and the paninis for you.”

Dedicating the majority of her career to working as a paralegal and then a CPA, Curbside Kitchen is Bell’s first venture as head chef.  “I love to cook,” she enthused. “And we’ve been received really well… everything is selling but if I had to pick from the sandwiches – the Cubano and the Hunter [are the most popular]. And salads – the Chopped Thai Salad and the Bento from the rice bowl standpoint.”

Bell originally predicted that the majority of her customers would be fellow business owners.  “I do get them,” Bell said. “But I also get people from out of town, too.”

Which is why, although currently only open Monday through Friday, she is considering expanding into the weekend. 

“We just hired three high school girls,” Bell said. Adding that each employee will be asked to contribute a personal specialty to the menu in order to keep things fun.   

“This summer I’m starting to do more salad specials,” Bell said. “Then this fall I’ll introduce more sandwiches and soups. When winter hits it’s my goal to have curb-side pickup because I can easily run out.”