FOOD & DRINK
Local Entrepreneur’s New Eatery is a Flavor Powerhouse
When 1st Bite officially opened last August, San Angelo was introduced to a daring new player that promised not just a meal, but an experience engineered around a simple but powerful philosophy: “The first bite should blow you away… and every bite after should taste just as good.”
This is the mantra of owner Roman Thomas, a chef, pitmaster, and serial entrepreneur known for blending creativity, comfort food, and a sharp business instinct.
Already successful with RJ3 Chicken Shack and RJ BBQ, 1st Bite is round three for Roman and his culinary team.
Thomas set out to design a menu that captures the spirit of street food — bold flavors, hearty builds, and the kind of dishes people crave again and again.
Just months after opening, 1st Bite has already become a must-visit stop for locals, travelers, and food-obsessed wanderers searching for authenticity and excitement.
I have to admit, I let this place slide off my radar after Tacos Locos closed in this location and nothing else came in to replace them, so it was late October before I noticed them.
The idea of West Texas street food perplexed me and didn’t really grab my attention to be honest.
But after I learned Roman was at the helm of the business and behind the menu, 1st Bite jumped back to the center of my foodie radar.
I openly admit, it’s not often I seek out foods like these, being a fitness professional and sports nutritionist, but that doesn’t mean I don’t recognize and know darn good, tasty food when I see it.
If Roman designed it and crafted it, it’s gonna be darn good; this I know all too well. That’s why I had to know just how Roman was showcasing West Texas street food.
Featured Menu Highlights
Below are the lead dishes shaping The 1st Bite’s reputation.
THE WALKING TACO — CHICKEN EL PASTOR WITH NACHO CHEESE DORITOS
A West Texas spin on a fair?day classic, this Walking Taco is packed with El Pastor–marinated chicken—juicy, citrus?kissed, and full of spice.
The base? A full size half cut bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, opened wide and loaded with toppings, turning this handheld icon into a festival of flavor.
It’s messy in the best way. It’s bold. It’s craveable. It’s exactly what street food should be.
THE NATHAN’S ALL BEEF 10-INCH LOADED HOT DOG
At the center is a 10 inch Nathan’s all beef hot dog, grilled to handle its impressive loadout of toppings. Whether you go classic with mustard and onions or level up with chili, cheese, jalapeños, and house sauces, this dog delivers the kind of oversized, over the top fun that West Texas eats are famous for.
THE BRISKET PHILLY CHEESESTEAK SANDWICH
Part Philly tradition, part Texas smokehouse, this hybrid cheesesteak swaps ribeye for Romans’ signature slow smoked brisket, resulting in a richer, deeper flavor that melts together with grilled onions, peppers, and cheese.
Served on a warm, soft roll, it’s a cross-regional flavor flight worth every bite.
THE HALF-POUND PRESSED CHEESEBURGER
This item is a top seller since opening day says business operations manager Jorge Garcia.
Made with a full half-pound of fresh ground beef chuck, this burger — pressed but not smashed — as I’d assumed on first glance, is seared to a slight outer crisp, locking in juices and building that coveted crust.
It comes dressed with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and a slice of American cheese. Get this; the oversized sesame seed bun is made exclusively for this monster burger. Do not skip the house cut fries dusted with flour and seasonings that pair with every burger order, nothing average about these fries whatsoever!
An Experience Built Around That First Moment
What makes The 1st Bite unique isn’t just the food—it’s the intent behind it.
Every dish is constructed around a sensory moment: the first crunch, the first burst of spice, the first bite into a warm toasted bun or a heap of freshly seasoned house fries. Thomas and his team believe that if they can win you over instantly, the rest of the meal will take care of itself.
Their strategy seems to be working. Customer reviews since opening consistently mention phrases like “hooked from the first bite,” “unreal flavor,” and “every bite was as good as the first.” Even regulars say the food delivers that same thrill visit after visit.
