Bada Basil, one of the newest creations from Pittsburgh-based Parkhurst Dining for its college accounts, is outperforming expectations, company officials say. Since its rollout at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., the Italian concept has generated sales 6.5% higher than original projections.
Grace Zarnas-Hoyer, spokesperson for Parkhurst, said the concept was developed as a joint effort between the company’s marketing and culinary teams. Bada Basil emulates Italian street food, featuring made-to-order wraps and pasta bowls.
Signature menu items include a basil chicken wrap made with grilled herb chicken, seasoned pasta, mushrooms, sweet basil and a housemade creamy Parmesan sauce; and the Prima Bada Bowl, a mix of fresh seasonal vegetables, seasoned pasta, Parmesan cheese and a housemade basil pesto sauce.
Guests can also create their own wraps or pasta bowls by choosing their protein and adding a variety of vegetables, such as broccoli, summer squash, zucchini, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, banana peppers, spinach and arugula. Sauces include Fra Diavolo, garlic aioli, rosé, tomato sauce, meat and vegetable ragu, balsamic vinaigrette and Greek olive oil dressing.
Other items include Bada Basil’s signature drink, Raspberry Basil Lemonade, and almond biscotti and pepperoni biscotti bites served with a side of Nutella.
Bucknell student Vivian Okwara likes being able to customize her meals. “I consider Bada Basil a very healthy choice, and I am able to get my food relatively quickly,” Okwara says. “I like the size of the bowl and the fact that the price matches the quality and quantity of food.”