Andi, We love beef ribs, too. Problem is that most every time we go to the meat market or supermarket, they tend to hand us a different type of beef rib. We've had them very short with tons of meat ("short ribs"?)..huge with little meat and membranes that are all but impossible to remove...medium sized in racks of 5-6 ribs (we like these best).

Does anyone know of a standardization of nomenclature for beef ribs???

Double Lazy

I sure don't, but short ribs are meaty pups with tons of fat...totally delicious. I buy the big racks only now and then, as like you said, they can be cut all different. The local market sells something like tiny boneless meat strips and sez to stir fry. Pussy ribs! Not for me! The big Fred Meyers down in Kenai sells big, meaty racks now and then and I buy the family size and re-portion with a vac sealer. I don't even try to take off the membrane. Holds the meat on the bone for serving and I like to lick it! LOL! Pups love it, too. I even suck the bones...carnivore that I am!