My first encounter was in Gulf Breeze, FL. My co-worker, "Jim" and I went out for breakfast at the Waffle House down the street, after our shifts at the radio station. I was instantly taken with the "pecan waffle", one of the chain's signature staples. It's a delightful sweet cream waffle with pecan pieces sprinkled in. I scarfed it down. OK, I made my way through half of it. It seems my eyes were bigger than my stomach. Jim had a full platter of eggs, grits, bacon, sausage, and cheese grits. I remember it was my first time ever tasting grits, I loved them!