family style

American  

adverb

1. (of a meal) with the serving platters on the table so that all present can serve themselves.

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Etymology

Origin of family style

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Example Sentences

“It’s heavy on steaks, and we have a lot more seafood than they would have had back then. We still have a meat cutter each night. We have our own band saw so we can cut Porterhouses, T-bones and club steaks. Before we flipped to a supper club model in the 1930s, the food was served more family style.”

From Salon

The food was served family style and I ate so much I came close to making myself sick.

From Literature

In between bites of ginger scallion noodles and cucumber peanut salad, served family style, comedian Kate Berlant took to a microphone and revealed that the models would be none other than us — well, not all of us, but enough names that could be called in 10ish minutes.

From Los Angeles Times

In addition to the seasons in which she competed, Chung also appeared on "Top Chef: Amateurs" and "Top Chef: Family Style."

From Salon

About five years ago, the concept seemed to be coming together, and it was announced the pair would collaborate on a cooking show loosely titled “Family Style.”

From Los Angeles Times