A lot of old-timey saloons would just put out a lunch buffet and as long as you bought one drink you could take what you like. Pretty good food by some accounts.
I talked to my Dad and he claimed this was still a thing in a few places as late as the early-80s, there were places with “happy hour” where they would put out a small buffet like once a week. He said in college he’d go to them and buy one beer and fill up.
I know, right? I will never cease to be amazed at people being surprised by this. I’m Spanish, and the concept of “tapas” has been twisted when exported to other countries. You don’t pay for tapas, tapas are the free food you get with the drink you order. The food you order to share are raciones. Don’t get me wrong, tapas aren’t a big thing everywhere in Spain (they’re amazing in Granada for example), but I cringe at being amazed at discovering that this is an alien concept for many people…