Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant is a family owned, casual dining restaurant in Sister Bay, Wisconsin; it is known for its authentic Swedish cuisine and Scandinavian experience, but it is more commonly known as the place with goats on the roof.[1]

History

In 1949, Al Johnson, the owner, opened a little restaurant that he called Al's Home Cooking, which is now called Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant & Butik.[2] In 1973, Al Johnson renovated the restaurant by importing wooden logs from a building in Norway and added a sod roof.[3] Al's wife, Ingert changed the interior by keeping a Scandinavian design, so that the place would be traditional, and it was her idea to add a gift shop, called the Butik so that while waiting to be seated, people could browse the Scandinavian gifts.[4] After the renovation was complete, Winky Larson, Al's best friend brought him a goat named Oscar as a joke, and someone decided to jokingly put Oscar on the roof, where he then caught the attention of pedestrians, so this inspired Al to get more goats and put them on the roof, and they have been there ever since.[5] In 1996, the Johnsons registered the "Goats on the Roof" trademark, so that other restaurants can't have goats on their roofs, however, this only applies in the United States.[6] The full story of how Al Johnson's first decided to put goats on its roof can be found at the restaurant's website — the home page features a media player link to a TV show segment that was originally broadcast on the Door County TODAY TV show.

The Scandinavian Experience

Tourists come to get the whole experience, which includes photographing the goats, eating Swedish pancakes and Swedish meatballs with lingonberries, and browsing through the Butik for traditional clogs or other Scandinavian gifts; they come to feel just a little bit Swedish.[7] The living room is furnished with paintings, a massive stone fireplace, and wooden furniture, with a view of the bay just outside the doors.[8] The waitresses are young ladies dressed in Scandinavian outfits called "dirndls" as they serve you your food. The menu has a variety of options, from Swedish pancakes(which are similar to crepes) with lingonberries (which are little red berries, similar to cranberries) and Swedish meatballs, whitefish, sandwiches, or salads.[9]

Location

The only location of Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant & Butik is on the main street in the town of Sister Bay, which is located in Door County, Wisconsin.[10] They are open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. daily.[11]

Goat Cam

Al decided to install a "Goat Cam," which is a hi-tech camera that overlooks the roof, so that people can watch the goats at any hour of the day from spring to October.[12] There are two cameras pointed in different directions so most of the roof can be seen between the two views to ensure goats are seen at all times, except for at night when they're taken off the roof.[13]

References

  1. ↑ "Al Johnsons Swedish Restaurant Butik - Sister Bay, WI in Door County 800-241-9914." Al Johnsons Swedish Restaurant Butik - Sister Bay, WI in Door County 800-241-9914. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. Web.
  2. ↑ Silvers, Amy Rabideau. "Al Johnson, Johnson of Door County Was Known for Unique Restaurant." Review. Journal Sentinel 14 June 2010: n. pag. Print.
  3. ↑ SCHECK, JUSTIN, and STU WOO. "Lars Johnson Has Goats on His Roof and a Stable of Lawyers to Prove It." The Wall Street Journal. N.p., 17 Sept. 2010. Web. 22 Mar. 2013. Print.
  4. ↑ "Al Johnsons Swedish Restaurant Butik - Sister Bay, WI in Door County 800-241-9914." Al Johnsons Swedish Restaurant Butik - Sister Bay, WI in Door County 800-241-9914. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. Web.
  5. ↑ SCHECK, JUSTIN, and STU WOO. "Lars Johnson Has Goats on His Roof and a Stable of Lawyers to Prove It." The Wall Street Journal. N.p., 17 Sept. 2010. Web. 22 Mar. 2013. Print.
  6. ↑ SCHECK, JUSTIN, and STU WOO. "Lars Johnson Has Goats on His Roof and a Stable of Lawyers to Prove It." The Wall Street Journal. N.p., 17 Sept. 2010. Web. 22 Mar. 2013. Print.
  7. ↑ Blei, Norbert. "Counter Culture: Wintering at Al’s." Winter Book. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Al Johnson's History. Web. 02 Apr. 2013. Print.
  8. ↑ Blei, Norbert. Al Johnson, an Excerpt from Norbert Blei's "Door Way" Door Way. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Al Johnson's History. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. Print.
  9. ↑ "Al Johnsons Swedish Restaurant Butik - Sister Bay, WI in Door County 800-241-9914." Al Johnsons Swedish Restaurant Butik - Sister Bay, WI in Door County 800-241-9914. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. Web.
  10. ↑ "Remembrances of Al Johnson - DCFF." Remembrances of Al Johnson - DCFF. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. Print.
  11. ↑ "Al Johnsons Swedish Restaurant Butik - Sister Bay, WI in Door County 800-241-9914." Al Johnsons Swedish Restaurant Butik - Sister Bay, WI in Door County 800-241-9914. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. Web.
  12. ↑ Rosenzweig, Gregg. "Top 10 Most Extraordinary Restaurants - Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant - YP.com." YP.com. N.p., 11 Oct. 2012. Web. 31 Mar. 2013.
  13. ↑ "Al Johnsons Swedish Restaurant Butik - Sister Bay, WI in Door County 800-241-9914." Al Johnsons Swedish Restaurant Butik - Sister Bay, WI in Door County 800-241-9914. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. Web.
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