Walk south on 16th Street. Start to cross the bridge over 94, but stop when you reach a flight of terrifying metal stairs. Follow them down under the dark overpass. Continue walking about five blocks past old, deserted buildings until you see it.

No, these aren't directions to a secret meeting or buried treasure, but they will take you to a treasure of sorts. Following my instructions will bring you to Sobelman's Pub & Grill, 1900 W. St. Paul Ave., which celebrated its 10th anniversary Sunday.

Sobelman's is one of Milwaukee's hidden gems, a hole-in-the-wall the locals swear by. I discovered Sobelman's my junior year, and since then have asked myself why it took me so long to venture down those terrifying stairs.

Sobelman's calls itself the home of Milwaukee's best burger — their Web site is even HREF="www.milwaukeesbestburgers.com">www.milwaukeesbestburgers.com. It's a ballsy statement, but Sobelman's can back it up with their selection of great burgers and grilled sandwiches. The real best burger is the Sobelman Burger.

My roommates and I joke one Sobelman Burger takes about six years off your life, but it's totally worth it. The one-third pound burger patty comes topped with three kinds of cheese, bacon jalapeño peppers and onions. And don't forget the bun. Sobelman's gets the buns fresh daily and toasts them to perfection. I've had my fair share of burgers and the Sobelman Burger is by far the best I have ever had. No contest.

The restaurant sells Milwaukee's Best Burgers T-shirts and their Web site features almost 100 photos of "Sobelman's Around the World" — people wearing their shirts on safaris, in front of the Colosseum in Rome, at Disney World and in Hollywood.

Sobelman's is known for its signature Bloody Mary too, which comes topped with everything from shrimp to celery and olives. If that's not your style, I would recommend having a Spotted Cow beer with your burger. It's the best combination.

When I have family or friends visiting, I always make sure to take them to Sobelman's, and it's never left a visitor disappointed. I usually see plenty of current Marquette students and some alums there too. And it's no wonder: Sobelman's is a stone's throw from campus and their side dining room is loaded with Marquette Golden Eagle gear.

Sobelman's bar is decorated with classic alcohol and Milwaukee memorabilia. On one wall hangs a Sobelman's street sign and a one-and-a-half-foot -diameter Spotted Cow beer bottle cap. It's a bit of a sports bar but with that one of a kind family atmosphere that is so hard to find.

The family atmosphere comes from Dave and Melanie Sobelman, who have owned and operated the restaurant since they started it in 1999. I've seen Mr. Sobelman there working and schmoozing with customers often. On their Sunday anniversary, he passed out complimentary deep-fried cheesecake and brownie bites. Delicious.

As we sat enjoying our burgers Sunday night, one of my roommates commented that Sobelman's is one of the things she will actually miss about Milwaukee next year after we graduate. I couldn't agree more.

Here's to Sobelman's and to many more years of giving Milwaukeeans the best burgers around. If you've never been, you better start walking – and make sure you order the Sobelman Burger.