# The natural range of Hush Puppies and grits on menus **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [January 25, 2024, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605 "2024-01-25T01:07:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/1 "2024-01-25T01:07:29Z")
We ate at Long John Silvers and enjoyed their hush puppies, whatever they are. Made from cornmeal, flour and a bit of onion I think. It’s the only place I think I have seen them in NE Ohio. My first wife was from Virginia and I considered her family quite southern But I remember her first encounter of them, also at a LJS. She had no idea what they were. She was not an adventurous eater and almost refused to try one. As for grits, I know I have come across them from time to time on a breakfast menu. Maybe I-HOP serves them. I like them. So what is the natural range of these southern staples? I say natural range because there is bound to be some diner in Fargo or somewhere that offers grits. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/2 "2024-01-25T01:12:05Z")
I find them tasty. And you get 3 for like 1.50. Thats at the LJS by Lakeland College. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/3 "2024-01-25T01:20:50Z")
First met hush puppies at a chain seafood place on the Oregon coast around the early 1990s. I like them. Here in Sacramento, grits only seem to appear at soul food restaurants or on store shelves. DH dislikes instant, but likes what he can get from a restaurant. I haven’t been interested in trying them for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/4 "2024-01-25T01:22:31Z")
They are both corn based. Southern by birth. International by reputation. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/5 "2024-01-25T01:25:33Z")
You’ll find both grits and hush puppies here in Chicago, though the former will tend to be at soul food places (though not exclusively, as shrimp and grits is a standout dish that can fit all sorts of menus). The latter will be at fast-food-type seafood places, though you’re more likely to find French fries as the side. The shrimp shack nearest my house has hush puppies. The most well-known one (arguably) in Chicago, Lawrence’s Fish and Shrimp, has corn fritters instead, which is similar but not exactly the same. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/6 "2024-01-25T01:28:20Z")
I have lived in the South (or near South) for the last 40+ years so very familiar with Grits & Hushpuppies. I like them both. I never had grits until I moved South But I vaguely rememer having hushpuppies at an Arthur Treachers in upstate NY in the late 70’s ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/7 "2024-01-25T01:30:36Z")
I forgot to ask if grits for breakfast extends into Texas or Florida? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/8 "2024-01-25T01:46:56Z")
Texas, for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/9 "2024-01-25T01:47:38Z")
Hush puppies were a staple side item in my Grandparents’ cuisine. They were born and raised in Southeastern Missouri (basically Arkansas). Their cuisine did not include grits. Hush Puppies have also spread via fried fish and “soul food” places in a way that grits haven’t, IME. Probably because they are better food (d&r…). ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/10 "2024-01-25T01:48:29Z")
[Hushpuppies are said to originate from South Carolina](https://www.seriouseats.com/real-history-myths-hushpuppies), where they spread to North Carolina, Georgia and Florida and are usually served along with seafood or barbecue. I think the first place I had them was at the Duck Inn in Virginia Beach, which is sadly no more. Wonderful place for a lot of reasons. Of course you can find them all over the place now. [Grits originated with Native American people in the Southeast](https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/popular-ingredients/what-are-grits#:~:text=Grits%20originated%20during%20the%2016th,and%20serving%20it%20to%20colonists.) who of course used maize. Settlers found that corn grew much better in that area than wheat, so corn was the default grain of the area. Very common dish all over the Southeast though of course you can find instant grits in grocery stores all over the country now. I remember having instant grits decades ago where I grew up in Ohio. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/11 "2024-01-25T01:49:27Z")
Somebody needs to contact **swampbear** about this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/12 "2024-01-25T01:52:58Z")
Grits are either loved or hated. Hush puppies started out as dog food(treats) and are well loved. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/13 "2024-01-25T01:53:39Z")
I’ve seen grits on the menu in Iowa, in diners and coffee shops that serve breakfast. Hush puppies were a regular thing when I lived in western Kentucky. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/14 "2024-01-25T01:58:16Z")
They were fairly common in the central valley of Ca, not sure if they still are. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/15 "2024-01-25T02:04:47Z")
Florida – need you ask? Can’t stand grits, hush puppies are great unless you get some that are fried too long or heavy on the onion; ick. Plus, grits are a good timing referent in a murder trial (see: My Cousin Vinny) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/16 "2024-01-25T02:35:00Z")
I don’t think their natural range includes Canada. I’ve never had either. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/17 "2024-01-25T02:38:06Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Can’t stand grits Eating grits plain is like eating oatmeal plain. It’s the seasoning (butter, sugar, honey, fruit, whatever) that make them palatable. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/18 "2024-01-25T02:40:05Z")
If you hate grits, and you’ve only had instant grits, you don’t hate grits, you hate spackling paste. Good grits are the bomb, especially yellow grits. Last year I tried adding some spices to my grits along with the cheddar and butter and little bit of half-and-half: some smoked paprika, some cumin, some cayenne, some garam masala. Oh. my. GOD. If you hate grits, and you try this, you may become a convert. As for hush puppies, even fish camps sometimes get them wrong. They need to be burn-your-mouth hot, and sweet but not too sweet. Weirdly, the best dip for them is butter, but a good cocktail sauce is also tasty. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/19 "2024-01-25T03:48:35Z")
Gravy…that’s all I’m gonna say. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605/20 "2024-01-25T03:52:02Z")
Are you asking the natural range in 1960-1970 or now in 2023? Darn good bet both have spread a long way since Ye Olden Dayes just post WW-II of highly separate regional cuisines in the USA. I moved from Southern California to smallish town Oklahoma in 1981 for USAF. Prior to then I’d heard of grits but never seen them. Grits were commonplace on Oklahoma menus then, and may have been since forever ago. Quaker brand grits have been on the grocery store shelves when I lived in Nevada in the 1980s, Missouri in the 1990s-2000s, and of course in FL now in the 2010s+. IIRC hushpuppies were available in the 1970s in Los Angeles in national chain fishnchips stores, e.g. Long John Silvers, Arthur Treachers, etc. But rarely in other restaurants. IMO … Grits are wonderful. Plain is good, but jazzed up is better. Hushpuppies are just deepfried greaseballs of nasty. Then again, I don’t enjoy much of anything deep fried and never have. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natural-range-of-hush-puppies-and-grits-on-menus/996605.md?page=2)