RIB Selection

Hey Pigfan, welcome.
Ask for 2.5 and downs. Or, better still, 2.25 and downs. These are smaller slabs of spare ribs. If available in your area, Farmland offeres these in a St. Louis cut, which means that the tips and the chine bone have been removed.

Regards, Mike

DL is right, try to get some by weight. What you're liking is the "small end" and the reason they're good is that the meat isn't as tough and if you buy smaller ribs (DL's suggestion) you'll get closer to what you like. A lot of people like the whole spare, lots of meat and don't get them St. Louis Cut so they have more meat on them.

Are you not able to look at them before you by them? I'd highly recommend you get to know a butcher personally and that will help also. If not, go with his recommendations about weight.

Another option. Since you have to usually cut a rack in 1/2 to fit in a Smokette, I'd do this. If you have a couple of racks where the small ends are about the same and the large ends are about the same.

Cook the large ends together on one rack, the small ends (that the end you prefer) on one rack. Take the small off first (they'll be done first) and just let the larger ones cook longer until they're ready.

Smokin Okie

Would 2.25-2.5 be a good weight in a whole spare or the St. Louis cut?

Pigfan,

The 2.25 to 2.5 would be the St. Louis cut. However, if you like the small boned ribs I would recommend baby backs. The bones will be pretty uniform in size and much smaller that the front end of the slab rib...

Michael, couldn't find anyone today that could get me the farmland 2.5. I'm not too far from st louis, can you give me the number of your source for ribs?

Pigfan,

Allen Foods.
314-427-3120

They require 2 hours notice. Ask for the 2.25 and down spares..they will be STL cut. They also have baby backs that are about 1.75 and down. We buy both by the case. Have no idea whether they split cases or not. However, if a case of ~spares~ is more than you'd like, we'd buy your overage, if you bring them to us. Good chance to meet, etc.

Allen Foods has a website that will take you to the Farmland Website. I ~think~ that Allen delivers within 300 mile radius of STL. Ask them. Also, believe the Farmland site will direct you to many stores in many states that sell Farmland.

Regards, Mike