LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Kentucky’s first African cuisine food truck was badly damaged when a fire broke out in June, forcing the business to close.

Almost everything inside was burned. After weeks in the shop, the owner announced that the food truck would be back in operation in a few days.

Sandra Diba said she got the truck back earlier than expected and was really excited because the contents were even better than before.

Long weeks have passed since Diba achieved this.

“It’s like a new beginning,” said Diba.

In June, just a few weeks after its grand opening, the food truck caught fire.

“I can’t wait to start cooking there. The first day I just wanted to stay there and spend the night,” said Diba.

Diba said she remained patient while her beloved truck was in the shop.

“This is the new burner. The old one was on this side and wasn’t as powerful as this one. Of course, we have a new extinguishing system because we need it, and the griddle is brand new if you haven’t noticed, and this is my favorite, the fryer,” Diba said.

Diba said she hasn’t stopped smiling since she got her truck back, but she said she realized she needed that time off to focus on other things.

“The break I took helped me a lot to reflect on my life and also to spend more time with my husband, children and friends,” said Diba.

However, Diba said she was ready to get into the kitchen and serve some of her favorite dishes.

“This is what I like to do,” said Diba. “I miss my customers.”

Diba said she expects a large turnout at the reopening, which will take place next Thursday at 2 p.m. at 1718 Sharkey Way in Lexington.

“We believe there will be even more going on with God than before,” Diba said.

There is even a special menu to celebrate this occasion.

“It’s a tortilla wrap with steak on it. You can eat it with steak, beef or chicken and fries,” said Diba.

In the future, rules will be introduced to avoid further setbacks, Diba said.

“Before we leave, we make sure everything is turned off and in the right place. We also install some cameras for safety reasons,” said Diba.

Diba said they want to give more people the opportunity to try their food, so they will be opening a second food truck with the same name and food on Richmond Road sometime in October.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

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