Where to buy meaty, local ribs?

[JuniorBalloon]

I am looking for raw product in the greater Seattle area that I will cook myself. I have bought from PCC and their ribs, while a very good product are not very meaty. Their producer slaughters betweeen 220 and 260 lbs and I think that's why they are on the light side. The spares usually weigh in at a bit over 3 lbs. I'm looking for 5-6 lbs.

My main goal is to avoid factory farms so local could be 400 to 500 miles as long as I can still get them at a store in this area.

Thanks,
jb

[terrier]

The Swinery and Rain Shadow Meats are my go-to butchers. For pork ribs, they'll both probably source from Carlton Farms (in Oregon) - good, consistent product. 5lbs is typical for a rack of spare ribs from them.

[MsMaryMc]

+1 for The Swinery. That's where I go for really good pork.

[terrier]

I've got a couple of St. Louis-style racks from the Swinery cooking (slowly) now. They are definitely closer to 3lbs each than 5lbs, so I may have been off in my earlier assertion. I still think the meat-to-bone ratio is pretty good, though.

[JuniorBalloon]

Never heard of the Swinery. Will have to check them out. I have always wanted to try Rainshadow meats, but it's a bit of a trek for me. I checked out Bill the Butcher the other day. They had some nice looking product, but it was 3.5 lbs.

jb

[JuniorBalloon]

I just re-read your message. If they are truly St Louis, and have the flap from the spare removed, 3 lbs would be very good. Do you remember if they had the flap removed? That's the part with the cartalage.

jb

[terrier]

Sorry, I meant spares. They were definitely spare ribs, tips still on.

[plutch]

I recently bought some GREAT Baby Back Ribs at Costco (seriously good)

The best part? They already had the membrane removed which is awsome!

They come in 3-Packs for like $35 or so

[yoyo11]

The membrane was really already removed? I buy their spares quite a bit and have always had to remove it myself. I'll have to get back there soon and see what's up. They are good ribs though.

[JuniorBalloon]

I must be wierd as I kind of like removing the membrane. :o)

jb

[GreenYoshi]

Doesn't meet your anti-factory farm requirement, but Safeway sells an extra meaty rib cut that I often use for my bbq ribs.

You're talking pork, right?

[JuniorBalloon]

Yes to pork. There are lots of places where I can get meaty ribs, Safeway, QFC, Costco, but those are all factory items. I've cooked lots of those and they make delicious bbq. Right now I'd like to find a product that is as meaty, but grown locally.

Thanks,
jb