I grew up in Texas, but never learned to like grits until well after my time on active duty.
I'm not even sure I had ever tried 'em before then, but Uncle Sam was powerfully proud of his grits, gave 'em to you every morning for breakfast back in the 1950's. and I'm here to tell ya that Army grits ain't like no other kind of grits, trust me on this one.
Anyway, years later, was when I finally actually "learned" grits. I was visiting a friend in Jackson Mississippi for a Turkey hunt when we went out for breakfast the last day I was there.
I ordered bacon, eggs, and toast, or whatever, but when the waitress brought the food over it had a bowl of grits on the plate.
I told the waitress that I hadn't ordered Cream of Wheat and was politely informed that's how they served their grits and to just set it on the side if I didn't want it.
Apparently, in Mississippi, you get grits for breakfast, whether you order it or not, it's included in the meal!
My hunting buddy encouraged me to try it, and I learned right then and there that grits is really an okay food....supposedly, they take on the flavor of whatever you have on your plate, and just act as more of the same whether it be eggs, bacon, ham, or whatever else you may have on the plate....a "filler", I'm told.
Good looking plate of vittles you got there, Ron
Now about the syrup thingy on yer grits.......not real sure about that one.
Uncle Russ...