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Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
Categories: Nightlife Bars Pubs Restaurants Pubs, Restaurants [Edit]
311 S Main StAnn Arbor, MI 48104
Neighborhood: Downtown Ann Arbor
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11 am - 12 am
Thu-Fri 11 am - 2 am
Sat 10 am - 2 am
Sun 10 am - 12 am
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
169 reviews for Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
Review Highlights
"Tonight I tried the "Bam Noire" because I looove dark beers."
(in 15 reviews)
"I had the fire & smoke pizza and truffle fries, both of..."
(in 11 reviews)
"The grilled chicken and brie sandwich was awesome."
(in 4 reviews)
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169 reviews in English
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Review from The Letter Q.
Ypsilanti Township, MI
2/5/2012
Menu: 4/5
As a non-drinker, I couldn't rate the beers, but they had a diverse selection that sounded delicious.
Pros: You can view the entire menu on their website, with links to the companies they buy ingredients from. They have a decent selection of vegetarian options, and offer soy mozzarella for pizzas. The food generally lives up to the rich and delicious-sounding menu descriptions, making me want to come back to try new dishes. You can order from the full dinner menu late.
Cons: The appetizer menu is lacking a good chicken dish. With how good the rest of the food is, I'd love to see their take on chicken wings or tenders. I appreciate that they don't serve your average bar food, but sometimes folks want something spicy and greasy with their beer.
Food: 4/5
We ordered the red chicken nachos and truffled fries. In the past I've had the South Pacific pizza.
Pros: I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of their food. The food is not an after-thought to their beer selection (unlike the Corner Brewery). The fries are absolutely addicting. With truffle salt and rosemary, they are very flavorful. The South Pacific pizza comes with bacon, dried pineapple and scallions. They have one size of pizza, that seemed to be about 12''. It was exactly what you'd hope a pizza at a brewery would be. Thin crust, high-quality ingredients and rich flavors that will compliment a variety of beers. The nachos had marinated chicken, black beans, avocado, cheese, cilantro, tomatillo salsa and pickled red onion. The pickled onion and avocado were very enjoyable additions to an otherwise bland dish.
Cons: The nachos were light on the chicken, heavy on the cilantro, and didn't come with tomato or sour cream. We ordered them with tomato and lettuce for an extra dollar. They lacked any heat. I didn't even realize there was salsa on them until I looked at the menu just now. They tasted fine, but weren't on par with the other two items I'd tried. On the pizza the dried pineapple was an interesting touch, but little too sweet. It was missing the acidic quality that works so well with the salty bacon.
Atmosphere: 4/5
Pros: The main floor is comfortable and casual. It is dimly-lit with adequate lighting over each table.The dark wood furniture is pleasantly brightened by muted yellow walls and metallic accents, such as the nifty chandeliers made of metal cooking utensils. The working brewing tanks near the bar are really cool! The bathroom is clean, unisex, and smells great due to an automatic air freshener.
Cons: The building is a long rectangular shape with a narrow main floor. I always have to dodge waitstaff with huge trays on my way to the bathroom (which is usually full, though they have another upstairs). I mostly dig the kitschy décor, but some of it goes too far (the tropical travel brochure wall art in the bathroom).
Service: 3/5
Pros: The waitstaff was diverse, pleasant, attractive, and queer-friendly. Our server gave good recommendations for menu items.
Cons: I've never had them ask how you want the check split, even for large groups. It's never a good end to an evening when your buzzed friends are struggling to do math. I'm sure they'd separate it, if asked. Our server didn't check back in as often as I'd like, and it took a while to get the check.
Prices: 3/5
I realize the prices aren't unheard of, but I wish everything was just little cheaper. The nachos were $11 with added lettuce and tomato. An order of fries will set you back $5. A pizza is between $11-13 on the dinner menu. My partner ordered the chocolate nib cocktail for $9. Jolly Pumpkin beers are $7 for a 12oz glass, which seems very pricey to me.
Verdict: 4/5
For beer-drinkers this would be a great place to sample some new brews paired with good food, but if you really want to pound some hops you can get more for your money at the Corner Brewery / Arbor Brewing Co. There's enough to love about the food and atmosphere, that will keep even teetotalers coming back for more. -
Review from Becky H.
Ann Arbor, MI
2/1/2012
Okay, first order of business: TRUFFLE FRIES. For $5, this is an appetizer worth trying at least once and sharing with your friends. Even my boyfriend, whose tastebuds can only distinguish between two flavors ("good" and "not good"), could tell that these fries tasted different/non-standard (but still fell under "good" for him).
I had the smashed chickpea panini with the house salad. The pickled zucchini spear I could have done without (it was weird), but half the sandwich, the salad, and 1/4 of the fries filled me up for the rest of the night. (Unfortunately, I did not get to try any of the beers, as I'm not allowed to drink for at least a week after a series of poor decisions these past few days...)
Our waiter was friendly and very accommodating, which I'm really not accustomed to after being snubbed by all the waitstaff at ABC and Grizzly Peak for the last 4.5 years! Two in my party wanted a sampler but could not think of any particular beers and asked the waiter to surprise him--and he happily obliged.
The decor in the back room was really strange though, and I have to knock a star off my rating for that. Besides the walls being cluttered with photos of people whose relation to the restaurant is unclear, there are shrunken voodoo heads hanging from the ceiling! Yes, they're fake, but GROSS! I wish I'd never looked up. -
Review from Sarah W.
Ferndale, MI
1/23/2012
I have to say that on the many occasions I have been to the Jolly Pumpkin I have never been disappointed.
The service has always been good and friendly, and the food and drink are fantastic.
I have tried many different things on the menu and have enjoyed them all. It is so easy at some restaurants to get a favorite and just stick with it, but at the Jolly Pumpkin I'm always trying different things because I'm so confident that everything will be good. My favorites so far have been the JP bugger, the Chicken and Brie sandwich, and the Truffle Pizza.
On top of their food being fantastic, this is a brew pub that actually produces some really great beer. -
Review from Michelle W.
Grand Forks, ND
1/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
I went here with a good friend for dinner on a busy Friday night. I really enjoy the atmosphere here & the place was PACKED! We had to wait a few for a table, but grabbed a beer at the bar (they let you sample first so you won't get stuck with something you hate). I got the porter, I'm a dark beer kind of girl & this was pretty good. I like that they have TONS of veggie options on the menu!! After a difficult battle, I decided on the chickpea sandwich, which was delicious! It had a little bit of something in it that was tangy & gave it a nice kick. I would love to come back and sample some more of their menu next time I'm back in town. The veggies were all fresh & had flavor (Yay! amazing for winter time!).
To sum it up:
YAYAY a veggie friendly food place with yummy beer!Listed in: South East Michigan
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Review from Tattooed Vegan Travelers T.
Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI
1/21/2012
**All of our reviews focus mostly on the restaurant's veggie and vegan options and/or veggie flexibility. Please read the comments to determine if our ratings are applicable to you**
Vegan & Veggie Heaven!!!
Trendy breweries tend to have absolutely nothing to eat for vegans and vegetarians besides fries and the occasional Boca burger. This place is the exception! From the amazing flatbread spread, to the smoked tofu salad, to the red chili tofu sandwich, to the vegan chocolate cake, this pub will keep your veggie taste buds screaming for more! and they have enough meaty options that your meat eating friends won't roll their eyes like they do when you suggest to go to that other veggie heaven in town :-). -
Review from Mark S.
1/12/2012
After hearing the hype from a ton of people, I was thoroughly underwhelmed. I've always know it to have a super long wait, and they don't allow you to call ahead. We came in with a group of 5 after 8PM, and were told 1-1.5 hour wait. I saw a sign for different hours for their upstairs section, so I asked what that was about. The hostess told me that it was a more casual environment with open seating.
So I went upstairs and sat down at a table, only to be told that it wasn't open seating, and that there was a hostess upstairs. I told the upstairs hostess what I was told downstairs, and that I still didn't quite understand the difference, but we had 5 people and wherever we could sit we'd be happy with. After about 5 minutes, she seated us upstairs. We ended up with a table so no big deal, but you'd think that they could either accurately describe upstairs vs. downstairs, or maybe if there's two different hostesses, they could communicate between the two because with the same menu, no one really cares where they sit.
After reading the menu online and reading about the farms where they get their food and how they make their own alcohol, I was definitely excited. Nearly everything let me down though. The beer sampler was served almost warm, and was nothing too special compared to other craft beers in the downtown area. A friend had a whiskey drink that tasted like tequila, and my wife had a mojito that she said tasted like lime juice.
As for the food, again just average. A couple friends got pizzas that were OK but not great, my wife got the chicken and brie sandwich which was the best of the bunch, and I got a porchetta sandwich which I didn't want to finish. The spinach was too much and too soggy, and the pork was tough and stringy, and actually hard to tear apart from the sandwich as you took a bite. The fries were good, and I actually really liked the pickled zucchini spear instead of a pickle, but that's about it.
I would definitely have been upset had we waited 1-1.5 hours for that meal. -
Review from Martha R.
12/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I went w/ my dad for a little lunch the other day, and was excited to try this place out after a visit a while back to the brewery for a little tour. The pizza was a bit under-cooked, so it was a pretty weak crust. I did like the flavor of the truffle pizza - but the sauce was so runny that it caused the crust to almost completely disappear (i.e., it was so mushy you couldn't tell it was there). The pork "rueben" was just okay as it was lacking flavor.
The atmosphere is relaxing and inviting... and the beer was quite delicious. I had the straight-up IPA (forgot the name - not high alcohol, not pumpkin-flavored), which was quite tasty. Our waiter was hardly to be found though (not sure why since it wasn't really that busy)... which caused us not to bother with a second beer.
I really wanted to love this place a little more. With a little work on the food and service, I think that it could definitely lure me in more often. I'm happy to try something different next time though... maybe the truffle pizza and pork rueben aren't the way to go. -
Review from Peter T.
Ann Arbor, MI
12/21/2011 1 photo
Do this: order a Bam Biere, order a Red Chile Tofu sandwich (upgrade fries to truffle), and order a bowl of warm olives if you have a friend to share them with.
You're welcome,
Pete -
Review from Valerie E.
Ann Arbor, MI
1/4/2012
I love the look of the JP's flea-market slightly Halloween-y decor. The logo looks like a Salem tombstone, the bar is antique and ornate, and the menus are held to the boards with mousetraps. The downstairs dining room is usually packed during peak hours, we have had better luck getting seated upstairs. My best friends are vegan, so Jolly Pumpkin is one of the places where we can find something for everyone. They even have soy cheese available for the pizzas. I've enjoyed both the truffle pizza and the South Pacific pizza. I'm not the biggest french fry fan, however the truffle fries are fantastic.
In the summer, I ordered the duck two ways; I wasn't a fan. The price was high for what what served. JP has a seasonal menu, and beets were in season. I had already ordered the beet and goat cheese salad, and when my entree arrived, it was accompanied with beets as well. Serious overkill. I won't order it again.
The beers are what makes the Jolly Pumpkin famous, but I'll leave the beer review to the true aficionados. Although I enjoy a great beer, I cannot resist the cocktail menu at the JP because they are absolutely phenomenal. They are made with fresh juices and spices and are unique. I had a rhubarb martini there that I can't get out of my head. They are expensive, but worth the splurge. -
Review from Mallory L.
Ann Arbor, MI
1/27/2012
I love Jolly Pumpkin. I love their beer, I love their food, and I love the atmosphere and decor.
Several of their beers kind of taste the same to me... but they are great if you're a fan of sour beer (farmhouse ales) like I am. I really love their pizza...yum. I just wish it was a bit more affordable so that I could visit a lot more frequently. -
Review from Brian B.
12/11/2011
Came here today for yet another beer release, second one in two days. I have to say this place is fantastic.
While waiting for the beer event to happen, I ordered a Not Just a BLT sandwich. Holy crap it was good. Toasted bread, smoked bacon, fresh mozz, arugula, roasted tomatoes. Fantastic. Everything was crisp, fresh, and tasted great. Definitely a must have again.
Their beer is the main attraction to Jolly Pumpkin. The style is not for everyone. I believe all are oak aged and bottle conditioned. I've had most of the regular offerings. I recommend the Oro de Calabaza if you want some lighter. Reminds me of champagne. Bam Biere may be their most popular one. I enjoy them all. -
Review from Sophia A.
Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI
1/17/2012
Fantastic brewpub in Ann Arbor. I was very pleased with the beer selection, food, and service here. Also, has a fun, non-pretentious atmosphere.
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Review from Adrienne S.
Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI
12/19/2011
My little sister was in town and I was looking for a place that had truffle fries like Larkburger in Colorado where my sister lives. I found The Jolly Pumpkin! She and I had been to the JP up near Traverse City and were excited to go. The place was loud & hopping, the truffle fries were quickly devoured and the truffle pizza was perfectly cooked and awesome! Can't get enough of truffles! The JP beers are all 'sour' style so they're not my thing but since they carry other brewery's beers I found one I liked. Definitely worth the trip!
Hugs, A -
Review from Gerry B.
WASHINGTN TWP, MI
11/20/2011
Great meal in A2! BLT, Praline Pecan bread pudding . Along with super service from Shannon our server. Looking forward to a return trip!
Made a second visit in November and quality contines. South Pacific pizza may be to your liking, or their version of the BLT with pickled zucchini. Both are excellent choices. -
Review from Sara G.
Updated - 11/2/2011
I've returned many times and have been sorely remiss about updating my review! Just a few things warrant this:
1. Their burger. One of the best in town. Consistently delish. BURGERHEAVEN (or burgerhaven?).
2. Their steak and potato salad. Warm fingerling chunks and melt-in-your-mouth grass-fed flat iron steak mixed over greens.
3. Their cocktails. Try them, they're creative and scrumptious.Listed in: Ann Abhors The Usual., A Burger for Your Troubles, Puttin' on the Pommes Frites
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/18/2010
Actual review: 3.5 stars
This place has some kick-arse beer (La Roja!!) and a migh-TEE fine burger… Read more »
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Review from Annette J.
Dearborn Heights, MI
10/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
What a patio! Honestly, one of the best places in Ann Arbor to sit and sip a drink on a sunny day. I was so glad I got to hop up there for one last warm day before the cold hits (although it looks like there are a few more chances this week if you hurry!).
I already love the Jolly Pumpkin up in TC (as evidenced by my reviews) so I was thrilled to finally try the Ann Arbor location which is much closer to me, obviously. The Ann Arbor location is also closer to their actual brewery (in Dexter) which is, as far as I know, not open to the public so this is as close to the source as you're gonna get!
Once again they have a great beer selection of both their brews and North Peak and they're reasonably priced. I was also happy to see quite the list of craft cocktails available for the season as well and they all looked fantastic. I didn't end up ordering any libations as I was watching my beverage intake but I made mental notes to try more than a few next time I was in. Our server was really friendly and showcased his beer knowledge by sharing some of his favorites off the menu.
I ended up ordering the chicken and brie sandwich on focaccia with apricots which I enjoyed. It wasn't anything special but for the price point and the quickness it was great. The chicken was nice and juicy and grilled perfectly, the focaccia lent a bit of herb and buttery richness to the sandwich that was a complimented the melty brie. The apricots were a nice touch of sweetness that topped it off quite well. It didn't knock me out of the park like the meals I had up in the TC but for a quick, relatively healthy dinner on the patio it worked out perfectly for me. It came with a side of shoestring french fries which I promised myself I would only have a few of but I'm a sucker for shoestring and ended up eating way more than I had planned. Oh well! I REGRET NOTHING!
I'm interested to come back and try some more of the beers and and beverages and of course the truffle fries! But so far so good, Jolly Pumpkin! -
Review from Paul T.
Grand Blanc, MI
1/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Love their Traverse City location. Ann Arbor is a close second!
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Review from April C.
Ypsilanti, MI
1/2/2012
I was really excited to try Jolly Pumpkin and my expectations were exceeded. The ambiance and staff are wonderful and the food was great. We ordered the truffled fries which are such an indulgence (I wanted to order more!) and I ordered the pizza with bacon, pineapple, and scallions. The pizza was perfectly done and paired well with the Bam Biere, which was also pretty tasty. Definitely a place I will be coming back to again and again.
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Review from Andrea M.
Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI
1/16/2012
First time I came here, my fork was dirty and my boyfriend's glass had lipstick on it. A big smackeroo. Tonight, I went back for a second time. I ordered their burger, which normally comes with loads of stuff on it and costs $13. I ordered it plain, with onion. Not only did they charge me the full price for the loaded burger, they charged me an extra 35 cents for onions. Ridiculous.
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Review from Dora C.
10/8/2011
Truffle coma via fries and pizza - check.
The desire to do work after a North Peak IPA - uncheck. -
Review from Stephanie C.
Ann Arbor, MI
11/15/2011
I have been here a few times and gotten a few different entrees and tried a few of their beers. I'm nowhere near being a beer connoisseur (I leave that up to my boyfriend), but I really do enjoy there inventive beers. Over the summer, I had a hibiscus beer that was pink and looked like it'd taste like Kool-Aid, but thankfully did not.
My boyfriend and I have shared the Grilled Flatbread with Three Spreads which was pretty good, but nothing special. On one occasion I had the Not Just a BLT sandwich, which was pretty darn good. We've also had a couple of the pizzas, which are great. I don't see it on their current menu online, but this past summer, we had the chicken nachos, which were good (I mean, how can you mess up nachos?!) and slightly different than the typical nachos appetizer that you see on every menu, which is nice.
Overall, the food and beer are a bit inventive and always please the taste buds. It's not mind-blowing food, but still very satisfying. I enjoy the atmosphere and I've always had good service, even during the busy dinner rush. I know it's Ann Arbor and JP is on Main Street, but I think the prices are a bit high for the portion sizes. Being a college student, I don't have that much extra cash lying around and wish I could visit JP more often. -
Review from Sylvonna R.
Ann Arbor, MI
Updated - 9/19/2011
Since my first visit I have had the chance to come back again and actually try the food: WOW! SO good. I had a summer special bbq pork pizza that was amazing. The crust of the pizza is so delicious, and pizza here would be worth trying.
For this visit I was able to sit up on the roof deck which has such a nice ambiance.
Per usual the staff was very friendly and attentive and even willing to help me make up my mind about which pizza/beer selection I should order (which is always super helpful for someone who cannot make up their mind, like myself).
I have to say the Jolly Pumpkin has impressed me both times I've visited and I will definitely be going back for more. This is a great place, I can definitely see it becoming one of my favorites in the downtown area!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/13/2011
I came here with a friend one night, a Tuesday in particular, for drinks after we had dinner at… Read more »
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Review from Jessica W.
Ann Arbor, MI
9/9/2011 3 Check-ins Here
One of my first days in Ann Arbor, I had the good fortune of lunching at Jolly Pumpkin with some new friends. Having never heard of it, I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in; it's not a big space, but it's tastefully designed and has an expansive selection of menu items. I'm a sucker for anything seasonal/local/sustainable, so I appreciated that they also value such things.
The smashed chickpea panini ($9) was astoundingly filling. And tasty -- can't forget that.
Our waiter was a bit busy, but he had a great attitude and didn't scorn us for making him split the check four ways.
My only regret: Why did I not try the beer?! It wasn't that early in the day! Alas, I'll just have to return then, won't I? -
Review from Liz W.
8/18/2011
I have become a bit of a beer fan, a tiptoeing into the water newbie type beer fan but I am working on it. That being said I did not imbibe one here. I was seduced by a mysterious bit of happiness called a Black and Tan, a non-alcoholic (shocker) mix of ginger ale and artisan ginger beer. Yum. Party in my mouth.
Ditto on the much recommended truffle fries with their rosemary kick. I am with Kate though that the sauce that comes with is a huge part of my delight with this item. We scoffed them down in a very unladylike fashion.
I was already being uber evil food choice wise so I threw caution to the wind and also opted for a BLT. Their Not Just a BLT features applewood smoked bacon, arugula, oven roasted tomatoes, housemade mozzarella and salsa verde on toasted farm bread. It is swoon worthy and I must say their bacon was that happy perfection where it was neither floppy nor burnt.
My friend enjoyed her Asian salad but I know she was secretly sad she did not indulge in the bacon feast with me.... I mean seriously eating tofu and veggies while your friend is splurging cannot be fun. I know, I have been there. Sadly it did not dim my delight any, I am awful.
Happy stop. I need to return.Listed in: Attacking Ann Arbor, Stars of the fryer...
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Review from kevin t.
8/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Been to Jolly Pumpkin a few times.
First time was to sample the local Jolly Pumpkin beer of which I had heard raves about. Subsequent times were with others who were there to "sample the beer of which they had heard raves about".
Unfortunately, the beer is just not that great. Certainly below calling it "artisan".
Better quality beer options elsewhere in Ann Arbor.
Haven't tried the food, which I gather is pretty good. But...as the name of the establishment implies, I was there for another try at their beer which fell short. -
Review from Erin M.
Baltimore, MD
12/21/2011
Nice vibe
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Review from brent b.
Ann Arbor, MI
10/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
A limited menu, but everything is made really well.
You don't need 100 choices when you go out to eat!
Awesome beer.
Probably my favorite restaurant in AA. -
Review from zin b.
Ann Arbor, MI
Updated - 12/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Duck 2 Ways, described as 'back-forty acres roasted breast-leg confit and sweet potato hash-lacinato kale caramelized onion-bacon-apple cider.' The duck confit was earthy, meaty and salty with a nice ducky flavor. The kale was cooked to perfection: emerald-green and a sharp, palate-cleaning offset against the heavy gravy. Eat Mor Kale! I loves me some ducky darkness, but this was too far over to the dark side of the force for me. Cubed sweet potatoes and onions could not resist being assimilated into the borg of gravy, overcooked to my taste. They would have had me at hello with al dente sweet potatoes and braised onions to match the kale, and half or less of the gravy.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/19/2010
Grilled romaine salad with nuts and figs and chicken and so called potato croutons aka, heroin… Read more »
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Review from Ari G.
Ann Arbor, MI
9/30/2011
Ordered the spinach and cheese pizza topped with asparagus. Have to admit, the beer choices scared me so I stuck to the cocktail menu. Absolutely LOVED the grapefruit and honey cocktail.
A great Main St. eat. -
Review from Megan M.
Jolly Pumpkin just rescued my summer productivity levels.
I'm not a very diligent writer, and the heat in my un-air conditioned home gives me a great excuse to watch Hulu instead of actually finishing this darn paper. I wracked my brains to think of a bar in Ann Arbor with air conditioning and wireless (I find beer loosens reluctant typing fingers better than coffee) and good snacks, and suddenly wondered whether JP had wifi.
I sauntered in and interrogated the host behind the stand. He readily acceded that they have wireless, that the bar upstairs is open seating, and told me where to find the outlets. I'm in love.
I happen to love sour beer, and so the offerings on tap are right up my alley - the spring sour was mouth-puckeringly good. The upstairs bar is almost empty and the wireless works perfectly well . . . TOO well, in fact: note that I'm writing a yelp review instead of my paper.
My requirements for good snacks were met with the nachos, on which they nicely replaced the chicken with tofu. They were delicious, and I loved the pickled onions (I may need to do some soul-searching re: this overwhelming taste for sour things).
Jolly Pumpkin: thank you for meeting my desperate academic needs. I will be back, again with my laptop, and now that this review is done, I'll be able to concentrate on writing a paper in your cool, cool refuge from the summer heat.Listed in: Brewpubs Galore
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Review from Ally N.
8/22/2011
I'm so much a fan of the North Peak chain of breweries (Grizzly Peak/JP/Blue Tractor in Ann Arbor, and North Peak in TC) that I thought I'd like Jolly Pumpkin just as much.
Boy, was I wrong.
Maybe it's because I'm an ex-vegetarian and am now a Certified Carnivore® (okay, omnivore, whatever), I found JP's menu to be a bit... well, douchey. Then again, it is main street A2, so whatever. The food was a bit expensive for the serving sizes I seem to recall, and this place just gives the overall feeling of trying way too hard. I wanted dessert, so I got the vegan chocolate cake and thought it was pretty dang awful, actually. It was dry and the taste was... off.
The beer I got was OK, but I'm not a huge fan of belgians, as it turns out. The one my fiancee got, which was a guest brew, was amazing, so kudos to JP for serving it.
Also, instead of being seated out in the main bar area, or even in the cool loft upstairs, we got seated in the weird backroom with all of the odd Hawaiian decorations. I don't know what it had to do with ANYTHING else. It was strange.
I'd never go here on my own accord, but that's not to say I'd never set food in here again. If I have a work party or whatever that takes place here, I'd probably go and just get that chocolate beer again. -
Review from David T.
8/15/2011
Visited this past weekend, showed up at four o-clock and were the only people on the upstairs patio!
Overall, a bit underwhelming from the hype I've heard in the beer sects regarding Jolly Pumpkin. Meat entrees, sandwiches, salads, pizza. Meh. Also, Wild Mushroom Risotto as your vegetarian entree option? Really? Get with the times.
The beer was also a 3/5. Unfortunately I was expecting 5/5 but many of them were not very complex and one-sided. Hope they can make it after all of the hype dies down. -
Review from Jennifer E.
Ann Arbor, MI
6/18/2011
I have mixed feelings about this place. I wanted to like it, especially after having the truffle fries, which were out of this world yummy. The house mad pickles were also very tasty.
The beer was decent (except the spinach beer...oh god, WHY??) but not entirely to my taste.
Unfortunately, the sandwiches we ordered were terrible. Both were bland, and my husband couldn't eat any of the bread on his because it was completely stale and hard- and they weren't too concerned when we pointed it out. i don't know if this was bad luck or just bad food.
We may try again sometime, if just for the fries. -
Review from Nickie P.
6/13/2011
We started with truffle fries, which I could not stop eating, and then I had the JP Burger and it was DELICIOUS! The melted Brie cheese and bacon on top is amazing, and my burger was cooked exactly the way I wanted it.
JP has great brews, too. I love the Bam Biere. You gotta get it when you're there, because everywhere else that carries it has a huge markup!
The only thing that I've gotten their and didn't really like was their pizza. It was nothing special, I will just stick with the fantastic burger! -
Review from Lauren I.
7/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
A friend brought me here for drinks and yesterday and I can say that I was impressed with the cocktail; it was called "Blackbird" and it was just as enticing and mysterious as the name promised it would be. Slightly sweet and fruity with little gems of blackberry and shreds of mint mixed in. Very tasty indeed.
Sadly, the food wasn't the best. Nothing ont he menu sounded that amazing to me so I went with the best I could find - the grilled chicken and brie sandwich. As other diners have mentioned, I think it could be described better as "Bread with brie, chicken, and jam. Presented as a sandwich"
Reading the menu I had fantasized about gooey-creamy brie and explosions of flavor but what I got was Panera. Maybe even worse because the sandwich was warm and the cheese at more of a Silly-Puddy texture instead of lava, which is what I wanted. My fries were on the cold side too. Not bad but I wouldn't order it again. Maybe other menu items have more promise, but I'm a little reluctant to go back and try.
And the truffle fries, which I had ordered after reading all of the oohs and aas from yelp, were OK, but tasted like they'd been sitting a while, on par with an average order of fries at McDonalds. Really they were just regular fries, plus some truffle seasoning that was shaken on I imagine. (Regular fries + truffle seasoning = truffle fries?)
Come for the drinks, but skip the food. -
Review from Lindsay E.
Ann Arbor, MI
Updated - 5/2/2011
As always, I've gotta say: GREAT FOR GLUTEN-FREE DINING! (Gluten-free sandwich bread, beer, and many other options.)
Had another FABULOUS lunch at Jolly Pumpkin last week. Couldn't resist the delicious porchetta sandwich BUT I must admit that the weekly special--a vegetarian sandwich full of delicious ingredients--almost got me. I tried the weekly soup, which was asparagas something and it was also delicious. The server suggested it with sriracha, which turned out to be a wonderful piece of advice. My lunch date ordered the JP burger and was very happy with her choice--she even convinced me to try it next time instead of the amazing porchetta sandwich. The service was great despite being right in the middle of a very busy lunch rush -- we didn't feel rushed or forgotten.
Can't wait to go back for lunch some time : )
Might I also quickly add that I went here for cocktails a few weeks ago and they were also above my expectations. There was a rhubarb cocktail at one point that was amazing (which I noticed is no longer on the menu). The strawberry balsamic martini is also delish.
I recommend Jolly for lunch or for cocktails -- haven't tried it for dinner yet. It gets crowded on Fridays and Saturdays so don't come with too big of a group or you might end up waiting.
P.S. Apparently they have a patio in the back of the restaurant that they're opening this week!Listed in: Best Gluten-Free Restaurants…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/29/2011
I went here for the first time 2 weeks ago and have been back two times since. I absolutely love it.… Read more »
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Review from John M.
Leland, MS
11/12/2011
Great burgers. Amazing Truffle Fries. Spectacular beer. Try the pool out if you're feeling adventurous!
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Review from Tom C.
Ann Arbor, MI
Updated - 5/19/2011
This is a review specifically for the newly christened deck: (if you know me you already know I'm a big fan of the restaurant, staff, beer, and food). The full deck took forever to open. In the past a small section was open but as of two days ago the full deck is finally open! It adds about 1/3 more capacity to the restaurant. What's best is that the summer sun doesnt set on it until 645 or so which is way better than the restaurants at street level. This may have just become my favorite deck/patio in town. The wicker is comfortable, the space is open, and the heaters extend the hours.
It's not perfect though. The wifi doesn't reach to the whole deck. The wicker tables have a hard time balancing glasses. (a little plastic or glass tops would help).
Having said that, if there were power outlets out there I'd never leave.
If you want me this summer, you know where to find me...on the deck at JP.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/27/2010
JP is a nice change from the typical micro brew with a focus on slightly sour beers. The IPA… Read more »
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Review from Lisa H.
Ann Arbor, MI
7/16/2011
I have been here a number of times for both food and drinks, but mostly for drinks. My most recent visit was the other day for drinks and truffle fries with a small group of people from work.
If you are looking for a happy hour with good drink and appetizer specials, the Jolly P. is definitely not the place to come. The only happy hour special they run is $1 off drinks and appetizers, and that's ONLY if you sit at the bar. I don't know about you, but I find it kind of difficult to sit and have a conversation with a group of friends while sitting in a line. The specialty cocktails and beer/ale and the truffle fries (what they are famous for, I think) are definitely worth the trip, though.
I had the lemon-thyme lemonade (can't remember the name completely, but alcoholic), which was very good and a little dangerous since you couldn't really taste the alcohol. It was sweet and refreshing. My co-worker had the blackbird (again, can't remember the name, but again, alcoholic), which was also good, but not as sweet as I would have expected. Still, it was refreshing. The cocktail menu changes with the seasons, so you will always find something different on the menu. Another thing I like is that the restaurant has 3 very good non-alcoholic cocktails, which is really nice for people that want something fancy, but do not drink alcoholic.
The beer/ale list is great, which is not surprising considering this is a brewery and distillery. The list is extensive featuring many of the brewery's own beers as well as other local and artisan crafted beers. The wine list is small and go elsewhere if you are looking for your standard Kendall-Jackson or Yellow Tail. As far as I could tell, the Jolly Pumpkin's focus on local, Michigan made products is even reflected in their wine list featuring wines from wines from Peninsula Cellars in Old Mission Peninsula, MI.
When I eat here, I generally order from their large sandwich menu. The prices are a little steep for a sandwich ($11-$13), but the sandwiches are pretty big/filling and I think you get fries on the side. All of the menu items feature seasonal and local produce/ingredients from local, Ann Arbor area farms and companies. This menu is also extremely vegetarian/vegan friendly. When I come here with my non-vegetarian friends, they can order meat and I can order vegetarian. What's even nicer is the veg menu is not just composed of pasta dishes, The Jolly Pumpkin's veg dishes actually have protein in them! The only critique I have about the sandwiches is that they are a little greasy, but you can ask for them to go easy on the oil.
The atmosphere is really nice and rustic. You feel kind of like you are in a tavern or a barn, which fits perfectly with the restaurant's focus. Every time I go I am seated right away, generally in a booth (maybe I go at less busy times). I never feel like I have to yell for anyone to hear me, so I like that I can have a conversation with my friends when I go there.
Yay! I'm a fan. -
Review from Edward C.
Seattle, WA
6/2/2011
I'm just going to post my notes about this restaurant. I think it sums up my experience pretty well.
Red chile tofu sandwich with marinated tofu, kimchee, relish, and radishes. Full of flavor, but slathered in oil (probably what makes it so flavorful...). Vegan! Tasty. Just greasy.
And there's vegan chocolate cake on the menu!
