As I stared down at a massive pile of spicy jalapenos, tangy onions, avocado, gooey cheese, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato and a half pound beef patty stuck between two buns, I had to take a minute to strategize how to tame this beast of a burger and get it into my belly.

Flaming Grill Café has been serving some of the most exotic burgers in Sacramento since it opened in 2007. I love trying new and unique foods, and the restaurant offers yak, llama, alligator, elk, ostrich, buffalo and wild boar burgers. Now that’s something you don’t find at your everyday burger joint.

I was a little intimidated by the habanero sauce and jalapenos I ordered with my burger, but I felt like being adventurous.

I somehow managed to pick up my burger and stuffed my face into it, smearing the juice all over my cheeks. This is the only way you can eat it unless you use a fork and knife, but that’s no fun.

As I got halfway through my burger, I began to scoop up the mouth-watering gooey mess of cheese, onions and sauce that had fallen. Eat your heart out Carl’s Jr., this burger really does get all over the place.

After about 30 minutes, several glasses of water and a large discarded pile of napkins, I am proud to say that I devoured that burger.

My one complaint was that my carne asada fries were a little bit cold, but the epic portions, fresh vegetables and great taste of the burger definitely made up for that.

The atmosphere at the restaurant is casual and friendly. The restaurant itself is small and the customers sit at tables surrounding the outside of the building. Adorning the windows and the inside of the building are various beer signs and others sporting catchy sayings things like, “My wife told me she was going to leave me if I didn’t give up golf. Damn I’m gonna miss that girl.”

The staff seemed genuinely friendly and happy to talk to customers. Francisco Silva, brother of the owner Jose Silva, said that their regular customer base has grown substantially since they first opened. It is a great place to hang out with friends and have one of their more than 75 varieties of beer. Everyone was smiling, laughing and having a good time.

“That’s almost like a present!” exclaimed one customer when he got his plate of food.

When another asked for a small beer, Silva smiled and said “You sure you don’t want a tall one?”

Dripping glasses of beer were plentiful and the delicious smell of juicy burgers wafted out into the parking lot.

On the last Thursday of every month, the Flaming Grill Café hosts a spicy chicken wing eating contest, using their home made habanero “Hoser” sauce. A waitress told me that they try to get at least 10 entrants, and it did not happen in September because of a low turnout. The entrance fee is $10, the winning prize of $50 and a tour of Sudwerks Brewery goes to the person who finishes eight spicy wings the fastest and with the most meat eaten off the bone. Contestants are not allowed to use napkins or drink water, and must wait two minutes after finishing until they can soothe their burning mouths with a cold beverage.

If you enjoy cold beer, indulging in humongous burgers and a great kick-back atmosphere, check out the Flaming Grill Café located near the Howe and El Camino Ave. intersection.

Just remember to have plenty of napkins ready.

Tzahuiztil Sanchez can be reached at [email protected]