There have been many great eaters in the history of mankind. From Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, who ate 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, who ate 62 Krystal Burgers (palm-sized burgers) in eight minutes. Not all of us decide to embrace our more gluttonous side, but food is something I am a pretty big fan of. I do not claim to have the most refined palette or the biggest appetite, but one thing I do know is where to find good food in Sacramento. I have lived here for 22 years and enjoyed more than my fair share of delicious breakfasts, snacks, lunches, brunches and dinners, and maybe a few more meals in between.

This column will provide some weekly insight into three of Sacramento’s best restaurants – whether it be burgers, Ethiopian or Chinese food. I will span the city limits looking for the best of the best. And while I can’t reasonably visit every burger shack or sushi place in a week, three of the best, based on word of mouth recommendations, will be chronicled here.

For this week’s mouth-watering marathon I decided to indulge in a classic: the hamburger. This staple of the American diet has been featured in backyard barbecues and fine dining alike and has taken on many interesting variations over the years. The burger has been placed in between everything from lettuce to a Krispy Kreme doughnut, and through it all the burger has maintained its place in our hearts and in our stomachs.

Now onto the competition! This week’s participants offer bountiful proportions and interesting takes on the traditional burger.

Scott’s Burger Shack

Scott’s Burger Shack is exactly what it sounds like, a shack. Don’t let the small building fool you though. Scott’s offers some big burgers including my choice, the Triple Fat Boy. You heard me, a three-patty, one-and-a-half pound burger covered in toppings and awesomeness. I downed the behemoth, I was breathing heavier afterwards too, but I would visit again.

Willie’s

Simply known as Willie’s, this downtown eatery offers delicious burgers and more. The reason anyone comes to Willie’s though is for the Hammer or the Slammer. The Hammer is a burger that you can get with up to three patties. The Slammer however, is where it’s at. With Willie’s famous Slammer Sauce (a chili-cheese concoction), a thick tomato, mustard, pickles and onions, this burger will leave you in a food coma. Add on a mammoth side of chili cheese fries and a thick milkshake and worry about hitting the gym tomorrow.

Squeeze Inn

The Squeeze Inn is a Sacramento staple for burgers. It has been awarded “Best Dive” by Sacramento Magazine for five straight years. The reason for the accolades? The “Cheese Skirt.” Oh yes, a halo of heavenly cheese surrounds the one-third pound beef patty. When they cook the burger, they pile on a ton of cheese and the portion that hits the grill hardens to form the crunchy and heart-stopping cheese skirt. I was in burger nirvana. Definitely check this place out.

And the winner is…

The Squeeze Inn! If I could attach a cheese skirt to all of my food I would do it. Do yourself a favor and get the “Squeeze with Cheese,” and prepare for your life to be changed. This isn’t the end all or be all of burgers in Sacramento, so write in and let me know what I’m missing. If you know of a great place to eat or want to see a certain food covered write in and tell me at [email protected].

Matt Rascher can be reached at [email protected]