The acid produced by the stomach is hydrochloric acid, similar to the acid used in car batteries and if it can eat through clothing and external skin, it will have little trouble burning the lining in the esophagus. No matter how good that fatty fried steak may taste, if you have acid reflux it would be best to steer clear as the extra fat and protein can act like a switch for the acid-producing pumps in the stomach and have them pumping at full speed before the food gets into the stomach. This food type is one of the acid reflux foods to avoid. If you have a loose lower esophagus sphincter that allows some of the stomach contents to escape back into the esophagus, the irritation will cause significant pain and discomfort.