Waffle House Grits Bowl: Menu, Prices, Calories & How to Order

A Waffle House Grits Bowl costs between $3.15 for a plain bowl and $10.30 to $12.60 for loaded versions with egg, cheese, and meat. The most popular options — Bacon, Egg & Cheese and Sausage, Egg & Cheese Grits Bowls — are priced around $10.30 at most locations. Prices vary slightly by state and store, so always confirm at your nearest Waffle House before ordering.

Grits Bowl Price List

What’s Included
in a
Standard Grits Bowl

Every loaded Grits Bowl at Waffle House starts with a generous serving of creamy Southern-style grits, topped with two scrambled eggs and two slices of melted American cheese. You then pick your protein — crispy bacon, crumbled sausage, or diced ham — to complete the bowl. It’s a filling, all-day option that works just as well for breakfast as it does for a late-night bite.

Plain Bowl of Grits (The Base)

The simplest version is just a side bowl of creamy, stone-ground grits — no toppings included. At around $3.15, it’s one of the most affordable items on the entire menu, and it’s naturally gluten-free since grits are made from corn (though Waffle House kitchens may have cross-contact with gluten-containing items, so it’s worth mentioning if you have celiac disease or a sensitivity).

You’ll find a plain bowl of grits:

• As a side item ordered à la carte
• Bundled into combo meals alongside eggs, hashbrowns, or toast
• As the base for the fully loaded Grits Bowl described below

The Loaded Grits Bowl

This is the version most people mean when they say “Waffle House Grits Bowl.” It’s a full meal: large creamy grits topped with scrambled eggs, melted American cheese, and your choice of protein. If you’d rather have grits next to a waffle, eggs, and meat, order the All-Star Special and choose grits as your side.

Standard protein choices:

• Smithfield® bacon (about 3 crumbled slices)
• Jimmy Dean® sausage (about 2 crumbled patties)
• Chunks of hickory-smoked ham

How to Customize Your Grits Bowl

Waffle House kitchens are known for letting customers build their order however they like. Popular add-ons for an extra charge (usually around $0.65 per topping) include:

• Bert’s Chili™
• Grilled onions or mushrooms
• Diced tomatoes or jalapeños
• Sausage gravy
• Extra cheese

This flexibility is part of why the Grits Bowl has such a loyal following — you can go simple and cheap, or build something closer to a full loaded breakfast bowl.

Calories & Nutrition

Loaded Grits Bowls range from about 580 to 750 calories depending on the protein and cheese. If you’re tracking intake, a plain bowl of grits is the lightest option at roughly 180 calories. For a full calorie breakdown across the menu, check our Nutrition & Calories guide .

Is the Grits Bowl Gluten-Free?

Grits themselves are naturally gluten-free, made from ground corn. However, Waffle House kitchens prepare wheat-based items like toast and waffles in the same shared space, so cross-contact is possible. If gluten sensitivity is a medical concern, ask staff directly before ordering.

Grits Bowl vs Hashbrown Bowl

Both bowls follow a similar formula — a hot base topped with eggs, cheese, and protein — but they differ in texture and price. Grits Bowls tend to run slightly cheaper and lighter, while Hashbrown Bowls are heartier and calorie-dense. If you want something smooth and comforting, go with grits; if you want something crispy and filling, hashbrowns win. See our full Hashbrowns guide for details.

Is the Grits Bowl Worth It?

For the price, the loaded Grits Bowl is genuinely one of the better value items on the menu — it’s a complete meal (protein, cheese, and a hearty carb base) for close to what you’d pay for a basic combo elsewhere. Pairing a plain bowl of grits with a biscuit and coffee is also a popular budget-friendly breakfast that lands well under $10 total.
The Waffle House Grits Bowl is also a smart choice if you’re eating solo or want something lighter than a full breakfast plate — it fills you up without the heaviness of eggs, bacon, and toast all together. Many regulars order it as a side alongside a waffle or sandwich rather than as a standalone meal.

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