The Missouri Food Many Locals Love and Others Can’t Stand

I’m not the biggest food enthusiast. I like what I like, and I’ll admit it—I’m usually hesitant to try anything too far outside the norm. That’s why it seems fitting that Missouri’s strangest food is something that has locals completely divided.

Missouri’s Weirdest Food Has Residents Split

If you guessed that Missouri’s weirdest food would be the Maid-Rite sandwich or the famous Paul sandwich, think again.

According to a list from Far & Wide highlighting the strangest food in every state, Missouri’s most unusual food is Provel cheese. The unique cheese blend combines cheddar, Swiss, and provolone, creating a flavor and texture that many people either love or hate.

For Missourians who grew up eating it, Provel probably seems perfectly normal—especially if they’re fans of Imo’s Pizza. What sets Imo’s apart from other pizza chains is its use of Provel instead of traditional mozzarella, giving the pizza its signature flavor and gooey texture.

The Cheese That Divides Missouri

I’ve had Imo’s Pizza before, and while I love pizza, something about it just felt a little... off.

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If you didn’t grow up eating Provel cheese, it can definitely take some getting used to. The flavor and texture are unlike what most people expect from pizza cheese. Personally, I don’t think I’ll ever fully warm up to it. Then again, I’m probably not the best judge because I’m not a huge cheese fan to begin with.