Food:
Lulu's cafe: chicken fried steak (get half queso half gravy), 3lb cinnamon roll

Big Lou's pizza (if you're with a group or adventurous and have 90 minutes-totally worth it)

Taco palenque for quick Mexican (get the tampiquena and a beef fajita quesadilla)

Pico de gallo west of downtown, surprisingly good Mexican without the wait or inflation as you'll find on the river walk

Having said that, casa rio on the river walk is good

Chris madrid's is good for burgers

Alamo draft house has good food while you watch movies

Pappa's has a bunch of great local chain food (papadeaux sea food, pappasitos Mexican, Pappa's BBQ and burgers)

Iron gate BBQ

Original rudy's BBQ nearby

Sounds weird but I love the tacos from Laredo taco company found at area Stripes gas stations (picadillo, carne guisada and potato/egg are best)

HEB has some tasty stuff in their delis