The ghost kitchens have vanished and Purple Basil reigns in King Family Commons.

The Thai-inspired dining location allows customers to choose from a variety of proteins, vegetables and sauces to build their own bowl. There are also appetizers like chicken wings and potstickers, as well as boba tea.

Purple Basil was inspired by the popular “stir-fry days” in Market Square at the Brown-Lupton University Union (BLUU).

Chef Michael Smith, the director of culinary operations at TCU, said once he saw how much students loved stir-fry, he wanted to create a dining experience that celebrated Thai cuisine.

“The whole inspiration comes from sharing that feeling of wonderment that I get with Thai cuisine with the students and giving them the authentic stir-fry experience that you’re already looking for,” Smith said.

He said the food on the menu was chosen to reflect a spectrum of flavors, textures, purposes and appeals.

Happiness made-to-order

Purple Basil replaced the ghost kitchens that featured celebrity dining items like MrBeast Burgers and Mariah Carey’s Cookies.

Kyle Hollingsworth, the general manager for Sodexo at TCU, said the dining team kept students’ happiness at the forefront of their minds when creating the new concept.

“When we started noticing lower sales and engagement from students, we realized that we wanted to transition to something that would please the masses,” Hollingsworth said.

Even the cooking style caters to student happiness. Meals made-to-order in front of customers make the experience more enjoyable, Hollingsworth said.

Purple Basil shares a kitchen with O’Brien’s, which is still open for breakfast with adjusted dining hours.

Hollingsworth and Smith encouraged students to reach out via the TCU Dining email, in-person conversations or the Student Government Association Dining Committee.

If you are unsure what to order on your first visit, Chef Smith recommends the kimchi chicken potstickers. Hollingsworth’s go-to is the udon noodle bowl with chili pepper steak and the Bangkok garlic pepper sauce.

Purple Basil accepts meal swipes, campus cash, credit/debit cards and cash.