Jolly Pumpkin’s Sweet Potato Nachos

Tastemaker

Sept. 19, 2026

When you read the description for these nachos on the Jolly Pumpkin menu, you may expect simple, straight-forward flavors: borracho beans, shredded pepper jack cheese, house salsa, and cilantro lime sour cream. You may also expect the cooked-to-carmelized-perfection sweet potatoes to be the star of the show. But actually, the secret lies in those borracho beans, sometimes called drunken beans, which are pinto beans slow cooked in beer and an impressive medley of spices (think: cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, and chili powder). In some places, the beans even get an extra kick from being cooked in bacon and/or bacon fat, though Jolly Pumpkin’s are vegetarian. This starter plate is big enough for sharing, but you probably will want every savory bite for yourself. Dive in at 13512 Peninsula Dr. in Traverse City. traversecity.jollypumpkin.com