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10 Things You Didn't Know About Imo's Pizza

By Riverfront Times Staff on Mon, May 14, 2018 at 8:35 pm

You know how an Imo's pie should be cut, and you know the three delicious ingredients that make up Provel. But we've rounded up some tidbits that maybe you didn't already know. -- Nancy Stiles This post was originally published in a different format in July 2014

You know how an Imo's pie should be cut, and you know the three delicious ingredients that make up Provel. But we've rounded up some tidbits that maybe you didn't already know.

-- Nancy Stiles

This post was originally published in a different format in July 2014

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Ed Imo borrowed just $500 to open the first Imo's in 1964, which is less than $4,000 in today's money.

Photo courtesy of Liza Lagman Sperl / Flickr

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He also worked as a tile setter during the day and served up pizzas with his wife, Margie, at night. That explains the squares.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

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Provel was first produced in Wisconsin by the Hoffman Cheese Company, and although there are differing accounts of who exactly came up with it, the Hoffman brothers worked with St. Louisans to develop it. Hoffman is now owned by a subsidiary of Kraft.

Photo courtesy of judahworldchamp / Instagram

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