Perfecting kadfa has been Sami Dakko's obsession for the past three months -- but University students will not be able to sample the revised dish until his food truck, Rami's Lebanese Luncheonette, returns in two weeks. The popular Middle Eastern food truck, which has inhabited the same spot on 40th Street for the past 10 years, was struck by a car speeding through a red light at the intersection of 58th and Spruce streets at the end of October. As a result of the accident, Dakko suffered neck and back injuries, a broken finger and various abrasions. Both Dakko and University students are anxious for the return of Rami's. "I am going crazy without my food truck," Dakko said. "If I could get it fixed tonight I would out on the street early tomorrow morning." According to Dakko, the condition of the truck is the only obstacle preventing him from reopening the business. New parts for the interior of Rami's are scheduled to arrive tomorrow, and workers are scheduled to complete the project by the end of next week. College senior Beth Tritter said she is looking forward to the return of Rami's, since she ate there every day prior to the accident. "They're the nicest people," Tritter said in November. "They know me by name. "Their falafel is the best outside of the Middle East," she added. "I even went to the other falafel guy once and I felt like a traitor." Rami's Luncheonette's presence is also missed by Pete Karalis of Pete's Food Truck. "I heard that he's coming back soon, and I'm so happy," Karalis said. "It not the same out here on the street without him." Dakko is looking forward to the days when he can begin to serve Penn students once again. "I can't wait to start cooking for people other than my family," he said. "I think I feel well enough to." Dakko added that he is continuing to undergo a strict physical therapy regimen and has several doctor appointments a week. "I have some pains in my back," he said. "I can't let that stop me because I have a family to support." The food truck sustains a six-person family that includes three people who are currently attending college, Dakko explained. "I really miss the students, my friends and the work,"he added. "Rami's is my life, and I use the money from it for my family, my mortgage and my truck payments."
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