Fox Chapel couple passionate about nourishing the community at Curbside on the Run in O'Hara
Don’t expect to leave Curbside on the Run hungry, thirsty or grumpy.
The wildly colorful and whimsical exterior of the casual cafe located in O’Hara is hard to miss.
Look for the large, vibrant murals, a mushroom and flower-themed entrance along a residential stretch of Powers Run Road — and the smiling faces of co-owners Kylee Witchey and her wife, Avia Benzion.
The mural-laden building ramps up the happy factor for patrons, just what Witchey and Benzion strive for.
Witchey is the original, energetic foodie force behind the success of the venture. She started as Curbside Coffeehouse in 2008, taking over an existing cafe in Blawnox.
Witchey reflected on the last 17 years of cafe life. “I feel happy and I feel like this is what I want to be doing,” said Witchey, 38, of Fox Chapel. “I was 21 when I started this. There were a lot of times when I thought I’d had enough and this was way over my head, but it forced me to figure it out and grow up a lot.”
A Lower Burrell native, Kylie was newly graduated from Duquesne University when she bought Curbside, turning it into a fresh foods concept with menu items changing daily.
Curbside vibes
Once inside, customers can custom-order their meal or peruse a bounty of freshly prepared foods on display in grab-and-go refrigerators with assorted decadent desserts stacked high.
New are the grab-and-go, heat-and-eat meals and spring salad bite flights.
A full-service coffee bar serves just about every drink imaginable, with different featured drinks each month.
The signature Curbside chicken salad and Curbside chocolate chip cookies remain in-demand menu staples.
Newcomers take note: Curbside is takeout only, with no indoor seating and no public restroom.
Made-to-order breakfasts are served from 6:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Curbside closes at 2 p.m.
“That hasn’t changed and we have more fun drinks and smoothies. Just more of everything,” Witchey said.
Witchey keeps a watchful eye over the Curbside kingdom as she cooks and mingles with customers, many of whom followed her from the Blawnox location.
Curbside relocated to O’Hara in 2023 after experiencing what Witchey described as difficult landlord issues.
She couldn’t be more ecstatic with her decision to buy a permanent location for Curbside, located at 1101 Powers Run Road.
“I have lived in Fox Chapel since 2009 and I can walk here in eight minutes,” Witchey said. “But I eventually got fed up with my landlord in Blawnox and my lease was up in 2018. I was driving home and saw the Realtor putting the for sale sign up and I called her right there from the parking lot. It was serendipitous.
“I can truly be Curbside here. We can be ourselves. No restrictions. It’s our building, our world and our life. There’s no downside. It’s better in every single way.”
Customers popping in quickly filled the cafe during a busy lunch rush last week.
“We have regulars from all over and our social media presence has really bloomed,” Benzion said.
The Vampire Slayer Breakfast Sammie ($12) encourages big bites. It features bacon, egg, cheese, and organic baby spinach, infused with garlic between a paquillo pepper jam-slathered pretzel bun.
Other “breakfast sammie” choices include the Italian Stallion, Speecy Spicy and a Breakfast Burrito with mix-in selections. Bagels come in asiago cheese, everything, plain or 8-grain. There are croissants and gluten-free or sourdough toast.
Avocado toasts include the Bang Bang ($15) served between two toasted slices of Mancini’s bread.
The couple made the decision to close weekends after finding that too many customers showed up on Saturdays and folks would have to wait an hour or more.
Witchey is most often found manning several skillets while she prepares breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday.
“I would have been real sad if we moved and nobody came here,” Witchey said of her move from Blawnox. “But our regulars are so cool and now I’m seeing people who had babies and now they’re graduating high school.”
Benzion, formerly of Houston, Texas, praised Kylie’s dedication to being completely involved with Curbside’s daily operations.
“Kylee has grown into the expansion of the business,” Benzion said. “She’s got her hands on every single thing here. It’s impressive how she can keep a handle on that. I am here to support her in every way.”
Benzion, a part-time licensed psychotherapist, works at Curbside, often cooking in a second back kitchen and helping in all aspects of the business.
The couple, who married in 2021, stressed the importance of providing a positive work environment for staff.
“We have a Fruity Pebble flavored Pride Drink ($7.75) for June. I’m always looking for ways to have fun here,” said employee Sydney Mealey of Millvale.
“We’re very seasonally driven and I’m really excited about our salads,” Benzion said. “We have been digging into our salad game.”
Everything is fresh and salad ingredients include innovative mixes such as a Thai chicken salad with peanuts and honey.
“I’m always on the lookout for new food combinations,” Witchey said. “I like to layer textures and flavors and mix it all up.”
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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