An esophageal balloon catheter capable of quickly and safely providing esophageal gauging and stenting as well as gastric aspiration during esophageal surgery. The esophageal balloon catheter includes (i) a shaft which defines a gastric lumen and an inflation lumen, (ii) a single inflatable balloon sealingly attached to the shaft at a fixed longitudinal position proximate the distal end of the shaft in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, and (iii) an aspiration port through the shaft between the balloon and the distal end of the shaft in fluid communication with the gastric lumen. The gastric lumen is not in fluid communication with the inflation lumen or the balloon so as to allow aspiration of the stomach without causing inflation or deflation of the balloon.