Grits is a food made by boiling ground maize, and usually served with other flavourings as a breakfast dish, usually savory. It is popular in the Southern United States.Grits is of Native American origin, and is similar to other thick maize-based porridges from around the world such as polenta.Modern grits are commonly made of alkali-treated corn known as hominy, in which case it may be called "hominy grits".