06/10/2026
Big shout out to Dave Skaer for posting the old Millstadt Enterprise paper lately. Such a cool throw back to old Millstadt.
I know many people don’t know about the roots Spikes has in Millstadt. So here’s the whole story.
Dan Speichinger my husband is a third generation tavern owner in Millstadt. Otto Speichinger is dans paternal grandfather the name sake of Ott’s tavern. Otto’s oldest son David is Dan’s father.
Dan’s father David and mother Ann bought the fish recipes from Aunt Izzy Schaefer, Otto’s sister, so she could retire. They then took over the fish stand at Ott’s. After some hard decisions they decided to move to another location. Opening “Spikes Place” which was located where the old KK was, heading out of town. They had this spot till the early 80s.
Dan grew up in Millstadt and went to St. James before going to Altolf for highschool.
Dan and I have both worked in the industry most of our young adult and now adult lives. We had plans on opening here in town at the old Mertz garage before we ended up going to Belleville, in 2012. Opening Spikes Pub and Grub in 2014.
At that time the West End, that we all miss and loved, was owned by the Touchette’s Milton and Audrey. Ott’s was owned by Dan’s Aunt DeeDee, the KK, Reinharts, and Columbus Club were all busy businesses also. I’m a firm believer in things happen for a reason and just because you don’t get what you want at first doesn’t mean God doesn’t have a better timeline and plan for you. With McDonalds ultimately buying the property, and so much competition in town,we made the obvious choice to go to Belleville.
A few years after the West End caught fire we were approached to look into reopening it. I was so excited and immediately dove in getting bids, reimagining the layout, and also looking at other options in town just incase. When I put all the costs together we made another difficult decision that it was going to be too much money to sink into a place in a now quiet neighborhood that was pretty happy not having a bar next door anymore.
That’s when I started designing my dream location! I tried to think of everyone that came through the doors. Delivery People, Patrons of course, and basic flow of workers. I drew everything out on grid paper with every inch of equipment, storage, and serving space all accounted for.
Then it was time to figure out where to build. At the time I never thought we could return to the corner where we originally thought about opening. I was looking at the property of Ray’s One Stop first. Then decided, why not, and checked out the corner.
After a lot of negotiating, working on all the construction plans, and finally getting to the point of breaking ground Covid hit the week we broke ground in March of 2020. This ultimately pushed our start on the build to July of 2020 and we finished and opened curbside in January of 21.
I am so thankful for everyone that supported us during this time of figuring out how to run this new location, with such a high demand of food. It took a lot of work and determination, but it has paid off, and I pray you are all happy that we are here. Back in our original spot and now being able to own it ourselves and have a new building specifically built for our business.
In honor of this post we will be serving BBQ chicken on Sat June 20th and our Cherry Smoked BBQ ribs for Father’s Day with mac n cheese, baked beans, and slaw both days.
Please call ahead for parties above 8! (618)476-6276
