July 5, 2024

After almost 20 years in business, Arian Wisaal is closing his Afghan restaurant.

The final day for Khorasan Kabob House at 923 S. Marion Road is July 21.

“We tried the restaurant business, but it just didn’t work out like we want,” Wisaal said of he and his wife, Tamana.

They don’t have their next step figured out yet. “Maybe we will serve the community in a different way,” he said, noting that it won’t be food-related. “Maybe we can stay here or maybe move out of the state or the city.” They have family in the U.S., Afghanistan; “everywhere we have someone.”

Wisaal opened his first restaurant in Sioux Falls in 2005 as Global Village Cafe on 41st Street across from the Western Mall. The name changed to Khorasan Kabob House in 2010, and the couple moved the restaurant to West 12th Street in 2017. It has been in its current home since May 2019.

In addition to Afghan dishes, the menu features Middle Eastern and West Asian dishes. Customer favorites include the signature kabobs and kabuli pilau, which is a chicken and rice dish, Wisaal said.

All meat was certified halal and prepared according to Islamic dietary laws. Wisaal noted that won’t be the case as those supplies are used up before the final day.

The restaurant closed for a year in mid-2022 after the couple secured a major catering contract for lunch. They were hired by an organization to provide American-style food four days a week for almost 250 people. Khorasan reopened in May 2023 and resumed catering for other weddings and other events.

“They’ve been supporting me for this long period,” Wisaal said of the community.

“They teach me how to do the business. I learned about everything from A to Z, and I’m happy to learn more.”

Wisaal also sells hand-knotted Afghan carpets, which have been marked down for liquidation. Khorasan’s kitchen equipment and furnishings also are for sale.

The restaurant will have regular hours until July 21: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.