Provel
Photo: J. Vivano & Sons, Inc. · Public domain

Provel is a processed cheese unique to St. Louis, a blend of cheddar, Swiss and provolone with a low melting point that turns gooey and buttery rather than stringy. It defines local pizza.

Developed in the mid-20th century for the St. Louis market, Provel was engineered to melt smoothly and not stretch into strings, which suited the city's cracker-crust, square-cut pizza. It is sold almost exclusively in the St. Louis area and is the ingredient that most divides locals and outsiders. Beyond pizza, it tops the Gerber sandwich and turns up wherever a melty, mild cheese is wanted in the regional kitchen.

1 editor pick for Provel in St. Louis, ranked by editorial score. All St. Louis signature dishes · Provel across every city.

Imo's Pizza ★ 3.8

$$PizzeriaDowntown

The chain that made St. Louis-style pizza a city standard, Imo's tops cracker-thin crust with Provel cheese, cut in squares, an essential local taste.

OrderSt. Louis-style Provel pizza, tavern-cut.

TipOrder it tavern-cut into squares. Provel is the defining St. Louis cheese; this is where to try it.

Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide

Provel makes more sense with someone from St. Louis explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.

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