Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant
Sister Bay, WI 54234-9433
Phone: (920) 854-2626
- Price:
- $
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 6am-8pm, Sun 7am-8pm
Editorial Review for Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant – by J.P. Anderson
The Scene
Al Johnson's scores big points for atmosphere. Where else in the world can you eat in a log cabin where goats perch on the sod roof above munching grass? It's quite a sight, and it's made this place one of the busiest, most famous restaurants in Door County. Inside the casual, carpeted dining room, young ladies in Scandinavian garb dish out limpa bread and Swedish meatballs to an all-ages crowd.
The Food
The menu is a veritable smorgasbord of Swedish fare, from pancakes with lingonberries to Swedish meatballs, whitefish, sandwiches, salads, and a variety of hot and cold plates. Most meals come with limpa bread, a fresh, moist rye fragrant with orange peel and anise and just begging to be smeared with lingonberry spread. Breakfast is served all day, and it's your best bet: Swedish pancakes are paper-thin and good--four crêpes stacked one atop the other. Door County cherry pie is a fine version with a nice flaky crust.
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User Reviews for Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant
04/04/2008 Posted by tomeastman
No matter what anyone says, see Al Johnson's. It has been a part of Door County forever. The decor is old, the menu is not all Swedish food, the waiters speak some English, and during the summer season the wait may be long, but the experience is old Door County. The Swedish food may not be the same as that in Chicago where my mother-in-law (100% Swede) joined the Swedish community as a young girl in 1920, but it is Swedish enough that it made me wish she was there to enjoy it. Our meal for four was an inexpensive $120.00 including tip, and everyone was satisfied. My steak was not the best cut of meat, but it was prepared properly. We had no room for dessert, unfortunately, because they looked great. We were there in the off off off season (Door County in March?!) and everything was very very good. I think those were the same chairs they had back in 1968. I can't think of anything negative to say. The four of us enjoyed our evening experience and went back for a special fund raising breakfast with Swedish pancakes and lingonberries. 100% of the proceeds of the breakfast went to a charitable cause, something Al Johnson does all the time. Al Johnson's is a huge part of Door County and still a big must see.
08/07/2006 Posted by 1racebabe
My husband and I went to the Door for our honeymoon last week and went to Al Johnsons on a recommendation. First, the interior was outdated and ugly. I get the swedish thing but this was bad, very tacky. The menu was mostly american to begin with and the food was mediocre at best. I am from Milwaukee and am used to having higher standards in restaurants so maybe thats why we didnt like this place. We didnt see this huge wait for a table either, we walked in and were seated immediately. The entrees we ordered were not worth what we paid for them and didnt taste very good. I didnt think the pricing was bad but the food was. Dont waste your time, there are better places to eat in Door County.
Pros: Cant think of one.
Cons: Everything, there are much better places to eat in Door County.
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