Drip Daddy is back.
The local coffee truck, which is often found on Hoover Street just outside USC Village, was involved in a crash just three weeks ago that temporarily impacted its production.
On the morning of September 24, a black Kia crossed into the opposite lane, narrowly avoided oncoming traffic and collided with a parked Toyota Camry, pushing it into the front of Drip Daddy.
Drip Daddy owner Alex Amari said the crash cut the truck’s transmission line, causing it to leak fluid and break down later that day on the way to the mechanic. The business’ bumper was also lost in the collision and has yet to be replaced.
“The whole process was not comfortable,” Amari said. “But, you know, these are the kinds of things that you deal with as a small business.”
While the truck was being fixed, the business set up a small canopy the week after the crash and the truck was back in its usual parking spot the following Friday, October 2.
Amari started Drip Daddy three years ago after he was unable to find a brick-and-mortar location. Drip Daddy specializes in house-made syrup, sauces, cold foams and purees. Drinks range from $4.50 to $9.00.
“It’s great,” said Harper Hunt, a freshman majoring in fine arts. “It’s good to have a matcha around here that I like.”
Since the crash, several USC students have stopped by to show their support, which Amari said he appreciates.
“The kids showed out, which just shows the strength of this community,” Amari said.
Prin Stevens, a senior majoring in Spanish, was waiting in line at Drip Daddy on Thursday morning.
“I’ve definitely gone more, because I think I felt bad that the whole accident happened,” Stevens said.
Nyjh Nicolas, a sophomore majoring in business, said she hadn’t been to Drip Daddy before the crash, but has frequented it since.
“When the car crash happened,” Nicolas said, “I was like: ‘That’s sad. I want to try it.’”
Edited by Sean Campbell and Miranda Huang.