Cookin' up a storm?

Rami food truck returns to the corner of 40th and Locust after four months Rami's Lebanese Luncheonette, sporting a newly painted exterior, is on the road again at the corner of 40th and Locust. The popular Middle Eastern food truck was struck by a car speeding through a red light at the intersection of 58th and Spruce streets on October 18, 1995. Owner Sami Dakko, of Havertown, suffered back and neck injuries, a broken finger and various abrasions. After four months of rehabilitation and truck repairs, Dakko said he is relieved to be back. "Now everything is okay and I am happy because I can work again," he added. "The last four months were horrible." Dakko's food truck, which flipped onto its side in the accident, has been completely redone. "They offered to give me a completely new truck, but I wouldn't take it," he explained. "My truck has too many good memories and I couldn't give up my equipment on the inside." Although he is glad to be on the street, the pain from the accident persists. Dakko said two herniated disks in his neck and back are preventing his full recovery. "I still have to go to therapy a lot," Dakko said. "But I will do anything if I can only keep working." Judging from the long line of people waiting to be served at his truck, the entire University community seems to appreciate Rami's -- and Dakko's -- return. The vendor has inhabited the same spot for 10 years. "All of my students are coming back to me," Dakko explained. "I missed them so much." One resident of the community, Daniel Deng, said he has been anxiously waiting for Rami's return. "This is my favorite food truck on the campus," he said. "I love it because of the food and the personable service." Dakko said he loves when customers ask for "the usual." After serving up his specialities, Dakko never lets a person leave the food truck before making them smile. "Have a nice day and be happy," he always says. Rami's sustains a six-person family that includes three students currently attending college, Dakko explained.