Perfect New Restaurant: Pak’s Green Corner

Paul Lundgren Sep 03, 2013 9 Comments

West Duluth had never seen the likes of schnitzel or poutine, much less a pad thai burrito, until Pak Williams converted the former China Station restaurant into Pak’s Green Corner in summer 2012. The friendly and funky little Asian-fusion joint — located across the avenue from a long-shuttered auto lube — was the clear-cut winner of Perfect Duluth Day’s Best New Restaurant poll.

paks-green-corner-new-restaurant

Above: Pak Williams with the fancy Perfect New Restaurant plaque, flanked by cook Hieng Wilaiphan (left) and waitress Vicki Boynton (right).

Pak’s got off to a rocky start following its opening day, when word of the new restaurant leaked out and a positive recommendation on PDD led to a full-house showing up for lunch on day two. With one server out sick and no one around with a strong command of how the cash register or credit-card machine worked, it was a rough day to say the least.

Now, with a full year of working out the kinks behind it, Pak’s Green Corner can claim the title of Duluth’s Perfect New Restaurant, having captured 51.9 percent of the vote. Honorable mentions go out to Tycoons Alehouse and Eatery (second place, 32.5 percent) and 7 West Tap House (third place, 15.6 percent).

PDD Awards Index

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9 Comments

Claire

about 11 years ago 

This is a well-deserved win against two very formidable opponents. Congrats to Pak and to her team of cooks and servers!

Sam

about 11 years ago 

Yes, well-deserved.  Pak's is a quality place!

hansel

about 11 years ago 

Can't wait to go give it try! I had never heard of them until reading about them here on PDD. Do they serve beer, wine, or alcohol?

Ruthie

about 11 years ago 

So glad to hear they won.  They have the best food and the owner is wonderful.  I think they serve wine but am not sure.

Dave P

about 11 years ago 

Great place! Most deserving. Make sure to bring your checkbook: earlier this summer Pak was conducting an informal poll to find out whether phasing out the credit card option (perhaps by this fall) would affect her customers' decision to dine there. Small places like this really get hit hard by fees when you pay with a card. So to help keep prices down and to support local businesses, always paying with cash or write a check. Enjoy!

Claire

about 11 years ago 

They serve beer and wine. The wine is boxed wine, but the beer selection is pretty good. 

Definitely bring cash or your checkbook.

DECk37

about 11 years ago 

I've eaten there, it is really good, was quite impressed. Also loved that they don't use MSG, the owner was commenting on how they found huge buckets of stuff when they took over the place, so kudos to them! They are very nice there too.

I remember once I had Chinese food from somewhere I can't remember, but it was loaded with MSG, I felt like I was going to die for the couple of days after. So when I order Asian food I have them hold the MSG on what they can, but it's nice to know I don't have to at Pak's.

Lori Rasmussen

about 11 years ago 

Pak's is my favorite place to eat, and  has been since the day the doors opened last August. Or was it the second day? I forget, since I have eaten there so many times I have lost count.  I'm so glad others have now recognized what a treasure this restaurant (and everyone who works there) really is.

jayinduluth

about 10 years ago 

Hopefully this doesn't start a trend of winners leaving the business!

Duluth News Tribune: Pak's Green Corner to close next month


Pak's, at 4131 Grand Ave., will close Nov. 8 following the sale of the property to Superior Choice Credit Union.

Kamolpak Williams, who has operated the Thai fusion restaurant for more than two years, said she wanted to spend more time with her husband, Dan, and her daughter, Nita, 17, who joined them from Thailand shortly after she opened the restaurant.

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