Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant
_(58165609).jpg)
Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant is a family owned, casual dining restaurant in Sister Bay, Wisconsin; it is known for its Swedish cuisine and Scandinavian experience, as well as for its goats which graze on the rooftop on summer days, to the delight of guests.[1]
History
In 1949, Al Johnson, the owner, opened a 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, redid the interior to accommodate a more traditional Scandinavian design. Ingert also added a gift shop called Al’s Butik as a time consuming activity for restaurant patrons waiting to be seated.[4] After the renovation was complete, a friend nicknamed Wink Larson gave Johnson a goat named Oscar as a joke, Wink decided to put Oscar on the roof as a joke. He later caught the attention of pedestrians, and inspired Al to obtain additional goats and put them on the roof as a marketing gimmick.[5] In 1996, the Johnsons registered the "Goats on the Roof" trademark, so that other competing restaurants in the United States are prohibited to having goats on their roofs.[6] As of late 2020 Al Johnson’s opened a Scandinavian-inspired Butik next to their thrill-seeking Beer garden. The shop includes many items with rich Nordic history.
Location
Al Johnson's is on the main street (Hwy 42) in the town of Sister Bay, which is located in Door County, Wisconsin.[7]
Goats and the Goat Cam
The restaurant has two cameras that overlook the roof, allowing people to watch the goats at any hour of the day from spring to October.[8] The goats are removed from the roof at night and when weather reaches a high of 80 degrees.[9] Once the goats' work day is over they are taken to a farm just out of the city center of Sister Bay. The little farm is run by one of Al Johnson’s sons and his wife.[9]
References
- ^ "Al Johnsons Swedish Restaurant Butik - Sister Bay, WI in Door County 800-241-9914." N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. Web.[full citation needed]
- ^ Silvers, Amy Rabideau. "Al Johnson, Johnson of Door County Was Known for Unique Restaurant." Review. Journal Sentinel 14 June 2010: n. pag. Print.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Remembrances of Al Johnson - DCFF." Remembrances of Al Johnson - DCFF. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. Print.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "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.
External links
- Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant and Butik
- Hard driving restauranteur Al Johnson doesn't mince words by Norbert Blei, Door County Advocate, June 22, 1978