Spare Ribs: What's the Scoop?

BBQfan1

I have a number of books on que, and a couple that are exclusively about ribs, but I can't seem to get my head around a few things, which I hope some of you in the 'BBQ Belt' might be able to clarify for me.
Obviously, up here in the Great White North, they are not packaging spare/side ribs solely for bbq, and therefore we get many different cuts. Occasionally you will see a 'true' St. Louis cut spare, which is what most que'ers would be seeking (I would imagine), or else a full slab, which I also encounter on the odd occasion. However, in most cases, what we are sold is a slab with the centre cut removed (this piece they sell seperately as 'Chinese sweet and sour rib'; a 1.5-2" strip, a foot long and priced double what the regular rack is). Also, almost exclusively, this centre-cut-removed rack is packaged laying on top of the breast/chine(?) bone piece, which is somewhat meaty, but irregularly shaped and not very attractive i.e. evenly spaced bones for an attractive easy-to-handle gnawing rib piece when cut. I guess what i'm askin' through all of this, is whether this is what you guys in bbq-savy places are getting as well, or are we dealing with grocers not cutting meat for the average Egger/bbq'er? Car Wash Mike in St. L, Mickey T in the Windy City area, Smokey in Atl and others in the BBQ Belt, what do you see at the butcher counter???
BBQfan1

djm5x9

BBQfan1:[p]Here in Atlanta I see full and St. Louis spares. If this is what you desire, find you a butcher that appreciates your business and he will get you what you want at a reasonable price. It may take you a little time plus you may find that not any one butcher can profide for all your needs. So you may want to cultivate more than one source.

Car Wash Mike

BBQfan1, I pretty much stay with babybacks most of the time. I go to Sams and pick up a 3 pack cry-o-vac priced at $3.99 lb. When I do spare ribs, we get the entire slab with the breast bone removed but left in the package. During the summer St. Louis Style ribs cost about the same as regular spare ribs $1.69 lb.
Talk to your local meat cutter (they hate to be called butchers) and ask about buying a case of ST. Louis style ribs. The last case I bought had 9 slabs in the box.[p]CWM

Car Wash Mike

BBQfan1, Forgot, I'm on the other side of the state. Close to Kansas City.[p]CWM

Mop

Sorry I can`t help you with your rib delema, but I would like to say..
Have you ever thought about doing some writing Mike?
Your posts and E-Mails are so well put together and interesting to read that you should think about doing some writing.....Your posts seem to flow so well they are a pleasure to read......Your posts remind me of Elizebeth`s posts on Basso`s forum and she is an awesome poster....
just my thoughts.......
Roger!

BBQfan1

Car Wash Mike, That's quite alright; I understand the folks down K.C. way know a thing or two about que too!
BBQfan1