For a few minutes on Saturday I felt like Charles Bukowski. I was a writer sitting by a racetrack drinking a beer at 12:30, and I hadn’t placed a bet. Actually, I was there for the food not the thoroughbreds. The Andelman brothers, hosts of TV’s Phantom Gourmet, held one of their events at Suffolk Downs bringing good food to the masses.

Sponsored heavily by Budweiser, the vendor list was impressive: Fuddruckers, Firefly’s, Aussom Aussie, Wholly Cannoli, Harrow’s, Wicked Whoopie’s, the Sausage Guy and Sunset Grill, plenty to choose from. The prices were uniform for most vendors; you could purchase a modest portion for $5-$7.

For what it was, it was a good way to introduce people to something they may not eat everyday. For guys that claim to love food, they could have gotten better beer. The Sunset Bar boasts a tap list of over a hundred taps; I imagine it to be like Mecca.

I felt compelled to try Budweiser’s American Ale. I actually was surprised that Bud could create something with flavor. I also can’t believe it took a buy-out for them to do so.

The Andelman brothers themselves were walking around the event and stopped to chat with folks or pose for pictures. That was a nice touch to see them in person.

If you managed to find the secret escalator, you were led upstairs. On the second floor there was a mechanical bull, bouncy boxing, sumo wrestling, twister and a putting green. There was enough entertainment but as lines for everything got longer, waiting felt like a chore.

Overall, it was an interesting experience. Although, I wish I had placed a few bucks on the #2 horse in the first race, I would have had my money back for the food and beer.