When the 15th Annual Taste of Clarence and Cruise Night gets underway at the Clarence Town Park (10405 Main Street) on Monday August 6th, Brennan’s Bowery Bar (4401 Transit Road at Main Street) will be looking to collect their 3rd straight Silver Spoon. The competition – a “People’s Choice” award by popular vote – will be the highlight of the evening, but only one aspect of the best-attended event on the Clarence Chamber of Commerce’s annual calendar.

After all, there’s also Cruise Night, with over 450 cars on display, a beer tent, and music headlined by Elvis tribute act Terry Buchwald (who in his 27th year of playing the King has probably been Elvis longer than Elvis ever was), along with Joe and the Shmoes and DJ Tom Sheer. The Clarence Rotary Club will be on hand to draw the winner of their annual Porsche Raffle.  There’s also a basket raffle and kids activities sponsored by the Clarence Youth Bureau (10510 Main Street). Festivities get underway at 3pm.

Still, it’s called the Taste for a reason, and food is the highlight of the evening.

Despite challenges from nearly twenty other competing Chamber member restaurants, including newcomers Eddie Ryan’s and This Little Pig (4401 Transit Road at Main Street), Dave Shatzel and the Bowery crew have made it clear they’re not content with their 2016 and 2017 wins – even going so far as to post a Brennan’s Taste of Clarence 3-Peat Facebook event complete of a photo of Shatzel holding the Silver Spoon.

“Stop and show your Irish pride with a vote for Brennan’s” encourages Shatzel, who seems unfazed by the competition. “We’ll be showcasing some of our tastiest creations in the Bowery Booth at the southeast corner of the pavilion.”

Brennan’s secret weapon? Perhaps it’s the aptly named “Silver Spoon Ahi Tuna Sliders,” though the Meatloaf Bowery Bomber, with it’s applewood smoked bacon wrapping and bleu cheese stuffing sounds good too.

And for those who scrolled down this far, a Taste of Clarence Pro Tip: remember to wear loose-fitting clothing. You’ll be glad you did.