06/12/2026
Bennie's Signature Dish: Shrimp & Grits
Let's be honest... when most people think of a diner in Western Pennsylvania, shrimp & grits probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind.
In fact, I don't even like grits.
But I absolutely love shrimp & grits.
The first time I ever had them was in Florida. Our family spends time fishing in a small Gulf Coast fishing village called Matlacha (pronounced Matt-La-Shay). Tucked away there is a little diner called The Perfect Cup that serves incredible breakfasts, including some of the best shrimp & grits I've ever had.
Whenever we flew into Florida, the first stop after getting off the plane was The Perfect Cup to get our shrimp & grits fix.
Before that, I had never even tried shrimp & grits. After that, it became one of my favorite meals.
When we opened Bennie's 9, I had one goal: create a shrimp & grits dish that captured what I loved so much about the one that inspired it. I'm happy to say that inspiration became a reality.
Our Shrimp & Grits start with a bed of creamy cheesy grits, topped with shrimp simmered in a flavorful broth reduction, then finished with chunks of bacon, green onion, fresh jalapeño, shredded cheddar and a drizzle of hot honey.
It's not our most ordered dish.
But it might be our most loved.
Honestly, I can't remember a single guest who has tried it and not raved about it afterward.
If you've never had shrimp & grits before—or if you think a diner in Western PA shouldn't be serving them—we invite you to give ours a shot.
You just might discover your new favorite meal.
