About Al Johnson’s Goats on the Roof
Al Johnson’s restaurant in Sister Bay has a grass-covered roof. That by itself would qualify as unusual architecture. Then the goats arrive.
During the warmer months, goats climb onto the sod roof and spend part of the day grazing above the restaurant. Customers below eat while real farm animals wander across the building overhead, occasionally appearing along the edge of the roof like highly unpredictable architectural decoration.
Al Johnson opened his restaurant in 1949. A major rebuilding project in the early 1970s gave the business its distinctive Scandinavian appearance and sod-covered roof. Goats soon became part of the attraction, transforming a traditional roofing style into one of Door County’s most recognizable sights.
The animals are generally on the roof from late spring into the fall when weather and conditions allow. Because they are real animals rather than permanent props, visitors should not assume they will be visible at every moment.
Plenty of businesses add rooftop signs to attract attention. Al Johnson’s uses livestock.