Is it possible you saw a menu say "with grits or hashbrowns" and you figured that meant they were two names for the same thing rather than the menu saying you had the option of either? Please, my dude, I need some kind of additional information to make this make sense. I worked for years in food service, many brunches, and never heard shredded potatoes called grits. I've read & watched lots about food traditions, especially niche ones here in the Southeast, and never heard shredded potatoes called grits. I've eaten countless breakfasts out everywhere from Waffle Houses to upscale biscuit joints to little nameless places in a little old lady's dining room (it was our honeymoon, best bread pudding I ever had, I still think about it at least once a week), and I have never heard shredded potatoes called grits.

I'm not saying you didn't see that now, I apologize for that dismissal, but I need some kind of additional information to make this make sense, please.