A GOAT restaurant could mean two very different things.
One, a restaurant that is the best or greatest of all time in the minds of its diners, or two, that the restaurant is in fact known as the ‘goat’ restaurant.
Al Johnson’s in Sister Bay is not only known for their Swedish-inspired menu and Scandinavian roots but also for the goats that spend their day grazing the restaurant’s grassy roof. Yes, you read that right. There are goats on the building.
From the ‘Roofing of the Goats’ parade in May through the end of their season in October, you can see the four-legged farm animals going about their day from every angle – whether you’re walking by on the street, grabbing a drink at their Stabbur Beer Garden next door, or keeping an eye out for them on the ‘Goat Cam’.
And, when you’re done oohing, aahing, and awwing at the goats, head inside for a menu and experience like none other in Wisconsin.
The interior of Al Johnson’s is proudly inspired by the owners’, Al and Ingert Johnson, rich Scandinavian heritage, so much so that the “food is served on dishes from Porsgrund, Norway, and the decorative rosemaled painting around the interior was done by renowned Norwegian artist Sigmund Arseth”. They even had the logs for the building assembled in Norway and then shipped to Door County. Talk about dedication!
But that’s not all, you’ll find the waiters and waitresses in traditional Scandinavian clothing as they run out plates of lingonberry pancakes, Swedish meatballs, fish and more.
Al Johnson’s has been a hotspot for tourists for almost 60 years now. During peak season, they can serve as many as 2,400 diners! And, as wait times grew, so did they.
In addition to the restaurant, they have two ‘Butiks’ (little shops), and the Stabbur beer garden. Today, four out of their five children help continue the legacy of Al Johnson’s and keep the Swedish restaurant’s reputation as a must-stop attraction for Door County visitors.