Best place to buy ribs?

OhioEgger

I've been getting my ribs (normally baby backs) all over the place and I wonder if anyone has an opinion on the best options.

What I've found is:
Kroger: decent ribs at a reasonable price
Costco: decent ribs at a good price, but always in packs of three slabs and I normally cook two
Aldi's: extremely meaty ribs at a great price, but not always in stock
Local butcher shops: scrawny ribs at a high price

Is this typical?

Skiddymarker

Costco Cash-andCarry have similar rib qualities, IMO. BBs from Costco and StLouis from C&C. 
I like the three pack, but then I freeze all three racks anyway. If you like to cook fresh, just freeze one rack, next time you visit Costco, cook two and freeze the other one - now you have a whole 2 rack cook in the freezer. 

EggMcMic

I used to do the same as @Skiddymarker , cooking two and freezing the third. Once I got better at ribs my kids would complain there were not enough! Any extras go into the fridge for leftover lunches! My son leaves for college this fall...so I will be back to freezing a rack.

YEMTrey

I’m in Cincinnati as well.  I used to buy my ribs from a local butcher and occasionally from The Fresh Market when they would run BOGO deals.

While the ribs from both of these places were great and very meaty, they were pricey.  The regular price at my local butcher is $4.99/lb.

I’ve had really good luck catching them on sale at Krogers and stocking up the freezer with about six slabs at a time.  I’m like you and only cook two slabs at a time.

I’ve been to Restaurant Depot a couple of times, but never to buy baby back’s so can’t speak to their quality.

Another place I’ve had good luck getting meat at a decent price locally is GFS.  I’ve even bought packer briskets there.

I haven’t bought any from Aldi’s, though I’ll check them out when I can find them, thanks.

Legume

costco ribs have the membrane removed already which is helpful.  if I don't cook all three, I'll vacuum seal and freeze one, I usually shake some rub on before I freeze them.  I hardly ever buy them anywhere else, once in a while I'll grab a rack at the grocery, but that's rare.

pgprescott

Our Kroger BBs are phenomenal. Hate to say it, but walmarts are not bad either. 

lousubcap

Of late the Kroger BB's are quite meaty (as mentioned above).  I have gone back to BB's from St Louis cut based on their quality.  Costco are worth it as well.  Don't let the Costco volume impact your buy-freeze what you don't you use right out of the gate.
All above said, should you land some beef ribs, then your worries about the pork cousins are over.  Can't beat any cut of beef ribs.  Just an opinion...

blasting

I normally pick them up from Restaurant depot. 

Wolfpack

Where ever they are on sale- I don't find the difference in ribs like I do steaks. Usually this means I get them from Costco. 

bgebrent

I like Costco for the reasons stated above.  I foodsaver whatever I'm not cooking.  Kroger ribs a fine too.  You get to remove the membrane if you prefer that.  They all turn out good.

GregW

I bought a 3 pack from Sam's last week. They were Smithfield meaty loin ribs I think.
They were exceptionally thick on one end. I trimmed off the thick end for uniformity in cooking.
They were excellent. They run about $30 for a 3 slab pack.
I will buy them again.

tarheelmatt

The best place for me is the ones that have them on sale that week.  

Legume

GregW said:

They were exceptionally thick on one end. I trimmed off the thick end for uniformity in cooking.

I do this too.

bgebrent

tarheelmatt said:

The best place for me is the ones that have them on sale that week.  

So says sister tilapia.

RRP

EggMcMic said:

I used to do the same as @Skiddymarker , cooking two and freezing the third. Once I got better at ribs my kids would complain there were not enough! Any extras go into the fridge for leftover lunches! My son leaves for college this fall...so I will be back to freezing a rack.

PM just sent - hope you get it! 

GrillSgt

Absolutely not Krogers. Their pork is all "enhanced". I picked up a couple of racks of great looking St. Lou's at Meiers tonight. 2.89/lb. I had to after that Chinese rib recipe today. 

Hans61

another vote for Costco 

OmahaOne

OhioEgger said:

I've been getting my ribs (normally baby backs) all over the place and I wonder if anyone has an opinion on the best options.

What I've found is:
Kroger: decent ribs at a reasonable price
Costco: decent ribs at a good price, but always in packs of three slabs and I normally cook two
Aldi's: extremely meaty ribs at a great price, but not always in stock
Local butcher shops: scrawny ribs at a high price

Is this typical?

I have found ribs at Costco in two packs in store rapped packs. 

YukonRon

Kroger's or Costco. Best quality for a very good price. I prefer Kroger BBs first, costco second.

SmokeyPitt

GregW said:

I bought a 3 pack from Sam's last week. They were Smithfield meaty loin ribs I think.
They were exceptionally thick on one end. I trimmed off the thick end for uniformity in cooking.
They were excellent. They run about $30 for a 3 slab pack.
I will buy them again.

My Sam's has the "Smithfield Prime Reserve" for all of their pork products. I haven't tried cooking them yet but the ribs looked really good. Typically ribs all look about the same but these had some nice looking marbeling.

Wolfie51sb

Not sure whether they have Giant Eagles in your part of the state, but that's my go-to place for every day ribs, roasts, pork butts, etc. I stopped buying meat from Kroger years ago, but obviously others here have had success there. The other nice thing about our Giant Eagle is they actually have butchers who know what they are doing and are more than willing to fill special orders. My experience at Kroger is the guys behind the counter do little more than unpack the boxes.