TV Star's Jim Beam Food Truck a Hit in South Tampa

Armed with a shotgun style kitchen, a promotional team and , he Jim Beam Red Stag food truck rolled into on Howard Avenue on Friday night to dish out free samplings and promote the diversifying brand of bourbons.

Chefs Colby Bilbo and Jonathon Metellus were on hand to serve the food at the second stop of a four-city tour. Tampa was marked as a destination by Richman himself, according to Bilbo.

"Adam loves Tampa," Bilbo said. "He's done a couple of his other shows here, and he has some local favorites in the area. It's a nice area to escape to for him, and for us, it's just fun to have it as another stop on the tour."

The food is prepared in another kitchen before heading onto the truck, which comes with two hot boxes, a convection oven and an assembly line area. The chefs come from different backgrounds but have come together for the chance to travel the country and promote the Red Stag product.

"It's been interesting to travel like this so far cause it's something new," Metellus said. "We're having a lot of fun, and all the events have come out well. It's a great opportunity to network and showcase something different."

The menu Friday included five options ranging from appetizer to dessert, with  promotional shots of Jim Beam flavors available inside the Lodge. Hits among those who sampled the food included 'Puddin on the Red Stag (a take on bread pudding) and Kentucky Bluegrass Honey Tea sliders, comprised of Texas toast, candied bacon and turkey infused with Red Stag Honey Tea.

Max and Danielle Villalobos saw the truck as they drove down Interstate 275 from their home in Pasco County and looked for it as they drove through SoHo. Max eventually spotted the truck and stopped to snap some photos and sample the food.

"We're fans of anything on the Food Network or Travel Channel," Danielle Villalobos said. "We saw the truck today, and we knew we had to try it once we saw where it was parked. When we travel, we always hit up any dive place that has been on those shows."

The food truck tour made a stop earlier Friday at Gaspar's Grotto in Ybor City. On Saturday, it hits the Postcard Inn in St. Pete Beach from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday.