Aunt Phyl’s spirit endures: Family keeps metro-east tavern tradition live

Phyllis Litteken’s nieces and nephews always knew she had a big heart. Only after her death last summer did they truly understand the depth of her love for family and her unwavering generosity.

In her will, Litteken left the family’s pride and joy—Phyl’s Chet & Rose’s Tavern in Marine—to six members of the third generation: the sons and daughters of her siblings.

First cousins Monica Litteken Hartlein, Travis Litteken, Nathan Litteken, Katie Litteken Lager, Grant Litteken and Cody Litteken are now the owners. They all grew up in the St. Jacob-Marine area. Their children play in the park across the street, just as they did when visiting the family business.

Like the small, peaceful village in Madison County where it stands, Phyl’s Tavern has the same family-friendly atmosphere. The tavern is centrally located, close to the gas station and the bank.

“We’re a landmark. Everybody and anybody comes here to have a beer. We never really meet a stranger,” niece Katie Lager said.

“This has always been more than a bar—it’s a community hub,” nephew Grant Litteken said. “We did not want to mess that up. This year we are celebrating 60 years of family ownership at the original spot.”

Known to everyone as Phyl, she purchased the bar from her parents, Chester and Rose Litteken, in 1991. They bought Benny’s Tavern at auction in 1965 and renamed it Chet & Rose’s. Among their five children, Phyl proved vital in running the tavern.

In a previous Belleville News-Democrat article for the 50th anniversary, Phyl explained what her father taught her: “Give good service and make everyone happy. This was Dad’s dream.”

She worked every day, expanding the space, sponsoring ball teams and local causes, and serving cold draft beer in frosty mugs. On the original grill from the 1950s, she made the same cheeseburgers her mother taught her to cook.

“Everybody loved her,” nephew Travis Litteken said. “Phyl sacrificed every single day. She was always open. She never did have time to stop.”

Phyl introduced special food nights, such as tacos, burritos and quesadillas on the last Sunday of the month. Every spring, she hosted a legendary annual Turtle Fry, with wild game donated by customers and fried chicken as an alternative.

Family traditions included holidays and celebrations at the bar. “Aunt Phyl would have tubs of candy, coloring books and Matchbox cars for us whenever we visited,” Monica Hartlein said.

“We learned to play pool standing on milk cartons and beer cases,” Hartlein recalled.

Phyl, who never married and did not have children, died unexpectedly July 10, 2024, at age 63. When her four nephews and two nieces learned they had inherited the bar, they agreed without hesitation to assume ownership together.

Keeping the family’s legacy and authenticity is important to the new owners.

Travis had already been working with Phyl on some matters, so the transition went smoothly.

“I was sad, nervous. We didn’t have an option. We had to keep it a good business. It means a lot to people. So far, it’s been a team effort,” he said.

On the day she died, as news spread, people gathered at the bar. “By noon, we had people flooding in—it was packed,” Travis said.

Grant added, “After she died, we found out from people how much she had helped them. She welcomed everyone. She never kicked anybody out, but she didn’t take any crap from anyone either.”

“We all grew up here,” Monica said. “We wanted it to be us together, first time out.”

“We have a big family. It was always a family-first mentality. It was going to be all of us, or not at all,” Travis said.

“We chose to keep the bar in the family’s name and change nothing about how Phyl ran it, including treating everyone like family,” Grant said.

Some upgrades were necessary, including a digital jukebox, a digital cash register (the bar remains cash-only), updated coolers, and more storage space.

As for the beloved cheeseburgers, Travis said they’re still made on the original flat-top grill, and “a couple thousand” are sold per month. On weekends, it’s not unusual to go through 100 to 200.

“It’s a staple. They are quarter-pound burgers. Every Tuesday, we hand-pat 110 pounds of ground beef,” he said.

The six owners all have full-time jobs, so they rely on longtime manager Kristen Schmalz, bartender Marlene “Mar” Garner, and others.

“They’re like our extended family. We have a pretty solid group here. We could not do this without them,” Monica said.

“They are family,” Katie added.

Bartender Deb, who started last November, retired from a full-time job two years ago. “I realized I needed something to do. I missed people. The people here are nice,” she said.

On Saturday, Sept. 6, the family will host a 60th anniversary celebration, featuring:

• Live music all day, starting at 11 a.m.
• Outdoor food stand operated by the Marine Fire Department
• Bounce house for children
• Bar opens at 10 a.m.
• Bands: Travis Tracy and Friends, Hunter Sharp and the Flats, Miranda Bury, and the Cheers band

Other regular events include:

• The annual Kenny Hoffmann Memorial Poker Run, which draws 1,000 to 1,200 motorcycles
• Bag (cornhole) league in warm months, with chicken wings available Thursday nights
• Fish fries October through April, with a menu of jumbo cod, Alaskan whitefish, whole catfish, catfish nuggets, jack salmon, shrimp, chicken strips and pork tenderloin
• Open mic nights on Mondays, featuring local talent
• Most activities and specials are posted on the bar’s Facebook page

At the annual Turtle Fry, held the second Saturday each spring, the menu has included bear, deer, frog legs, snails and snapping turtles.

“We just fry chicken. Others make the other stuff in the back,” Grant said.

“People have been coming here for generations. Our kids are the next generation. It’s a home away from home,” he said.

Phyl’s Chet & Rose’s Tavern, at 204 N. Duncan St. in Marine, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Outdoor seating and to-go orders are available.