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.
Today I learned: there actually used to be a "free lunch". They lied to us!
ah, classic. At least they installed some drinking fountains
Now look up the origin of "pie in the sky"
Damn Wobblies.
They'll be pie in the sky when you die? That's a lie!
That's what they do.
If you're in college and pay attention to staff, faculty, and alumni event schedules there still can be.