Grits are similar to other thick maize-based porridges from around the world, such as polenta, mieliepap, and mămăligă.

[10] A similar bill was introduced in South Carolina to name it the official state food,[11] but it did not advance.

[12] Nevertheless, South Carolina still has an entire chapter of legislation dealing exclusively with corn meal and grits.

The most common version in supermarkets is "quick" grits, which are made from non-hominy maize and have the germ and hull removed.

Grits are eaten with a wide variety of foods, such as eggs and bacon, fried catfish, shrimp, salmon croquettes, or country ham.