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“authentic swedish cuisine with goats on the roof!”
Al Johnson’s is an authentic Swedish family owned restaurant where you can find goats grazing the sod roof. It's quite a sight, and it's made this place one of the most famous restaurants in Door County. Inside the casual, carpeted dining room, young ladies in Scandinavian garb dish out limpa bread and Swedish meatballs. The menu consists of a variety of Swedish fare, from pancakes with lingonberries to Swedish meatballs, whitefish, sandwiches, salads, and a variety of hot and cold plates. The story about how goats came to be on the sod roof of Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant has floated around Door County for decades. Here’s how local writer Norbert Blei recounted the tale a few years back: “Wink Larson was a man who understood tradition. Every year, in celebration of Al Johnson’s birthday, he would bring Al a gift. Not an ordinary gift, of course. But something memorable. One year it was a burro; another year a sheep; once a baby pig; and the single gift which would change Al’s life, the village of Sister Bay, and the entire history of Door County tourism—the birthday Wink walked into the restaurant with a goat named Oscar, ribbons tied to its horns and a note: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AL. I was not an eyewitness. But I can see the grin on Wink’s face…sense the commotion in the restaurant. And hear Al’s laughter. The rest—is history.” —Norbert Blei
What's a trip to Door County without a stop at Al Johnson's for breakfast? The morning we stopped in it was raining so unfortunately we didn't see the goats but we did easily find a parking space... Read more
Be prepared for street parking and a long wait. Food was great: Swedish meatballs, Swedish pancakes, veggie hash, French toast. Homemade pickled herring was very different from store bought! Our... Read more
We tried stopping in on a Sunday for breakfast about a month ago and the wait was about an hour, so we left. Found ourselves nearby on a Monday and stopped again and got right in. We both had the... Read more
Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant and Butik
Hours
- Sun - Sat: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Reservations
- Does not take
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Breakfast
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Brunch
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Dine In
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Dinner
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Drinks
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Lunch
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Outdoor Seating
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Takeout
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Waitstaff
Parking, Dining
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