Ellery Weil - The Takeout

Location

London, United Kingdom

School

University of Michigan, University College London

Expertise

Food History, Home Cooking, Viral Food Trends

Ellery earned her PhD in History in 2023. As a specialist in the Victorian Era, she has attempted to recreate some of Queen Victoria's favorite meals.
Her 2023 article on the Government Cheese Caves of Missouri was highlighted by author Jack El-Hai and director Julian Simpson in both of their newsletters.
She joined Static Media as a contributing writer for The Takeout in 2025.

Experience

Ellery Weil, PhD, is a writer and historian who has been writing professionally for over six years. She began writing out of pure interest while studying at the University of Michigan, with a feminist issues column for the Michigan Daily, Weil Can Do It, and has kept up with it through her undergraduate and postgraduate studies, eventually turning to writing as a profession. She has written for academic and popular publications, including Atlas Obscura, Messy Nessy Chic, Lilith, Haloscope, Byline, and many more.

Education

Ellery has a bachelor's in political science from the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, and a master's and PhD in history from University College London.

The Takeout Editorial Policies

The Takeout’s industry-leading editorial coverage is the result of collaboration between writers and editors with a wide array of experience and expertise in the world of food and drink. Every article is fact-checked by our team of editors to ensure accuracy. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information.

Our mission is to both inform and entertain our readers, telling them everything they want to know (and more) about food. We strive to always provide a well-rounded reading experience, bringing both the biggest food news of the day and a break from the news. Additional information on our editorial process available here.

Stories By Ellery Weil

The Old-School 'Luxury' Lunch Meat '70s Kids Packed For School

This retro processed deli meat from Oscar Mayer had a splendid name. You can't get your hands on this specific product anymore, but you can still sample it.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Fitting Korean Meaning Behind The 'H' In H Mart

You might frequent H Mart, the Korean grocery chain, but you probably don't know the meaning behind the "H" in its name. Here's the origin story.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Divisive Soul Food Aretha Franklin Adored

Aretha Franklin loved a popular Southern soul food classic that still sparks debate today, dividing diners with its bold flavor and deep roots.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Most Popular Cheese In The US (It Isn't American Or Cheddar)

The most popular cheese in the United States isn’t American or cheddar. Here’s which cheese takes the top spot — and why it wins fans nationwide.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Prototype Of The Rainforest Cafe Was A Major Fire Hazard

It's rare to find people as passionate as the founder of the Rainforest Cafe, who created a prototype for the restaurant despite the fire risk.
By Ellery Weil Read More
Check For This Before Buying Secondhand Stainless Steel Cookware

Finding used stainless steel cookware for a good price is a win, but not every piece is worth buying. Here's what you should check for before purchasing it.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The World's Oldest Cheese Was Found Smeared In An Unexpected Place

The world’s oldest cheese was discovered smeared in a surprising place, revealing new clues about ancient diets and ties to today's dairy traditions.
By Ellery Weil Read More
McDonald's Egg McMuffins Used To Come With Some Sweet Additions

The McDonald's Egg McMuffin is a pretty straightforward and classic breakfast sandwich, but the original version of the menu item was a whole lot sweeter.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Vintage Julia Child Cookbook That Could Be Worth Thousands

If you have this vintage cookbook lying around, it could be worth a lot of money. Here's how to find out if that Julia Child cookbook is valuable.
By Ellery Weil Read More
Jimmy Buffett Loved This Louisiana Meal So Much It Inspired His Music

Jimmy Buffett loves margaritas and cheeseburgers, but there's another Louisiana meal he dedicated an entire song to that you should absolutely try.
By Ellery Weil Read More
Why Wendy's Is The Only Fast Food Restaurant That Serves Baked Potatoes

Fast food is built on speed, which makes baked potatoes an odd choice. Find out why Wendy’s put them on the menu, and why they're still around.
By Ellery Weil Read More
Frozen Meatballs Become A Worthy Party Appetizer With Just A Few Store-Bought Ingredients

Turn frozen meatballs into an easy appetizer at your next gathering with a few store-bought ingredients that add big flavor with minimal effort.
By Ellery Weil Read More
174 Years Ago, Anheuser-Busch Was Founded — Here's How Its Budweiser Recipe Has Changed

Anheuser-Busch has been making good old American beer for almost as long as the country itself, but the recipe hasn't remained the same. Here's how it changed.
By Ellery Weil Read More
73 Years Ago, Denny's Opened Its Doors — But Modern Diners Wouldn't Recognize It

Denny's has been around for decades and the breakfast chain is more or less a household name by now, but the very first Denny's looked nothing like it does now.
By Ellery Weil Read More
Ham Vs Turkey: Which Deli Meat Brings More Protein To Your Sandwich?

Deli meats are your ticket to a quick and satisfying lunch, but is a turkey or ham sandwich the better choice when it comes to protein content?
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Dollar Store Girl Scout Cookie Copycat You Can Get All Year Round

All the minty, chocolaty goodness of your favorite Girl Scout cookie — without the wait. This dollar-store dupe is here all year, and it doesn’t miss.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Texas Roadhouse Appetizer Trick To Build Your Own Sliders

Those legendary Texas Roadhouse rolls aren’t just for butter-slathering — here’s the nifty trick that turns a freebie into the star of the table.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Cheap Aldi Sauce That Doubles As A Tasty Soup Base

Aldi has lots of great, and reasonably priced, pasta sauces to enliven homemade meals but one is so delicious that it actually doubles as a tasty base for soup.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Costco Frozen Meal That Customers Should Grab Every Time

This Costco frozen meal is hefty, cooks up like a dream, and almost guarantees leftovers — no wonder shoppers swear you should grab it every single time.
By Ellery Weil Read More
64 Years Ago, This Popular Mexican Chain Opened For The First Time

64 years ago, a now-popular Mexican fast food chain opened its doors for the first time in California, forever changing the American dining landscape.
By Ellery Weil Read More
Stuff This Iconic Dish With Canned Chili For An Easier Weeknight Meal

Canned chili may be an underrated pantry ingredient, but it's actually your ticket to a speedy and flavorful version of this weeknight classic.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Oldest Family-Owned Mexican Restaurant In The US Is Still Open Today

This Mexican restaurant has been open for over a century, and it's still serving up northern Mexican classics and the signature dish that was invented there.
By Ellery Weil Read More
Boston's First Italian-Owned Restaurant Didn't Serve Italian Food — It Dished Out This Instead

You'd expect that Boston's first Italian restaurant had dishes like pizza and pasta on the menu, but that actually isn't the case. Here's why.
By Ellery Weil Read More
From Frank Sinatra To Al Capone, This Chicago Jazz Club Is Filled With History (And Secrets)

This iconic establishment in Chicago is home to a storied history and lots of jazz. The classic haunt was frequented by celebrities and mobsters alike.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Oldest Coffee Company In The US Has Been Fueling Americans For Nearly 2 Centuries

The oldest coffee company in the United States has been continuously roasting beans for decades. Here's the history of this iconic coffee business.
By Ellery Weil Read More
This Major Fried Chicken Chain That Thrived In The '80s Only Has 2 Locations Left

If you're not from the city where this fried chicken chain's only two restaurants are, you might not have even heard of it -- but there used to be hundreds.
By Ellery Weil Read More
We Desperately Miss When Fast Food Chains Offered This Collectible Item

Beyond burgers, fries, and milkshakes, many fast food chains also used to sell collectible items. Now these quirky treasures are hard to come by.
By Ellery Weil Read More

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