I order shrimp and grits here in KC metro as follows: shrimp and grits, hold the bacon, hold the cheese, light on the green onions, hold the barbecue sauce. Yes, in KC they actually put BBQ sauce on grits. But the end result is very good.
As a person who puts maple syrup on grits, I have say EEEEEW.
But seriously, if you can put (condiment X) on bread, you can put it on grits.
“But the end result is very good.”.......
It all depends on what one likes.
I have a nephew that loves plain cheese pizza, meaning no sauce, nothing other than pizza “bread” with cheese on top, THAT’s it! That can’t even be close to good.
A number of places around Memphis have grits dishes that include BBQ sauce and usually polish sausage. Some are awesome. I’m a real fan of shrimp and grits, too. There’s a place called Humdingers that serves shrimp and grits with a piri-piri sauce that has a real kick to it. I love it. I love just regular old grits with real butter and a little salt. I’m a Southerner, so I guess I just love grits.