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.
This is still a thing in Mexico, and to a certain extent in many Mediterranean countries in Europe. In Mexico, the more you drink, the more/better food you get. And in the Mediterranean countries you always get some snacks like olives or potato chips, plus some bread or cheese.
Its still a thing in shitty midwestern bars too but all you get is stale popcorn
Some of the "mexican" tex mex places in the us are charging for the basket of tortilla chips and salsa that have traditionally been brought to the table with the drinks.