Everything that could have gone wrong did. Now, this restaurant is ready to open.
Local lawyer and developer Abdul Arif has opened many restaurants over the years and knows that they can get behind.
His latest venture, an Indian restaurant, meat market and grocery called Desi Dhaba that’s moving into the black-and-yellow metal building just west of the Family Dollar at 5120 E. 21st St., faced many delays, which kept it from opening in February as he had originally planned.
“Everything that could have gone wrong has gone wrong,” he said, pointing to equipment delays and trouble getting the right Wi-Fi setup in the new building.
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Now, though, he’s finally ready to open the restaurant part of the business — and it’s happening just in time. Arif is planning to start a soft opening on Friday, June 12: He always envisioned the business as a place that international students from nearby Wichita State University could gather to watch their home teams play soccer, and the FIFA World Cup opens Thursday.
At first, only the restaurant portion of the business will be open. It will be set up “Chipotle-stye,” Arif said, and it will serve halal proteins like goat, lamb and chicken, which customers will be able to get over rice, quinoa and other bases. It will also offer items like dosa, curry dishes and pani puri.
The restaurant, which is on the north end of the building, will have a drive-through window, and in the early mornings, people will be able to drive through for coffee and doughnuts. The restaurant also will serve Yemeni coffee, and it will include a bakery that produces Indian and Middle Eastern pastries.
Restaurant customers will find lots of indoor and outdoor seating, Arif said.
The other parts of the business — a halal meat market that serves items like goat, chicken, lamb and some beef and a grocery that carries South-Asian grocery items like spices and vegetables — will open after the Fourth of July holiday, Arif said.
Arif, who is opening the business with his nephew, Tariq Azmi, said he was inspired by a successful chain called Desi Chowrastha, which has locations across the country, including one in Overland Park. The businesses include not only Indian restaurants but also fresh groceries and halal meats.
He thought Wichita could use such a business, he said, and hopes it will provide a place for the many South Asian students who attend WSU to gather and find the comforts of home.
Starting Friday, the restaurant will be open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. A grand opening celebration will happen later, Arif said.
This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 1:19 PM.
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