Why are ribs so expensive?? **Poll on what you prefer**

[CorCentral]

I never have understood why Ribs are as expensive as a decent Steak. I understand the cooking times of ribs to be much longer, but the way thier cooked, it's like a damn assembly line cranking out ribs.

I want to hear about prices of both of these in your area.
Ribs--- Half/rack $15.00/Double that for full $30.00
Steaks--- Tbone $15.00/20oz Porterhouse $25.00

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Here in Ohio on Wednesdays I can get a full slab for $9. But the quality sucks compared to properly smoked ribs like you'd get further west. The smoke flavor just doesn't taste right.

 

[imported_LoKe]

A more difficult cut?

 

[Syrch]

Good question but i will say nothing beats a good stack or ribs or a perfectly done steak, i couldn't live without them

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: CorCentral
I never have understood why Ribs are as expensive as a decent Steak. I understand the cooking times of ribs to be much longer, but the way thier cooked, it's like a damn assembly line cranking out ribs.

I want to hear about prices of both of these in your area.
Ribs--- Half/rack $15.00/Double that for full $30.00
Steaks--- Tbone $15.00/20oz Porterhouse $25.00

good ribs OWN, you don't get as much meat maybe but they are sooooooooooo delicious when cooked properly. I love a good Rib-Eye but good Ribs do it for me now.

can I get a decent sized Rib-Eye and half a rack of ribs? I hate having to choose

 

[imported_Baloo]

It's supply and demand. They used to be cheap, but now, because they are popular, their prices have gone up. I am not going to get into price fixing.

 

[Ns1]

ribs are cheap as fuck. it's the 8 hours of smoking + labor involved thats expensive

 

[vi edit]

Even buying bulk and smoking them yourself are looking at around $8-$15 per rack (baby back) depending on weight. They are going for just under $4.00 a pound at Sam's club. A typical full rack of b-backs is around in the ballpark of 2.5 pounds give or take half a pound either direction.

Ribeye on the other hand is about $8-$12 a pound raw weight depending on the particular quality of the cut. Pound per pound ribs are cheaper by raw weight. It's just that there is a lot more weight to a rack that you can't eat that brings up the per pound cost.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Even buying bulk and smoking them yourself are looking at around $8-$15 per rack (baby back) depending on weight. They are going for just under $4.00 a pound at Sam's club. A typical full rack of b-backs is around in the ballpark of 2.5 pounds give or take half a pound either direction.

Ribeye on the other hand is about $8-$12 a pound raw weight depending on the particular quality of the cut. Pound per pound ribs are cheaper by raw weight. It's just that there is a lot more weight to a rack that you can't eat that brings up the per pound cost.

Plus there's the whole time/effort/amount of fuel it takes to cook ribs. 4 hours for baby backs, 6 hours for a full slab.

Taste? I'll go with perfectly done pork ribs with applewood and a spicey rub and fruity mop.

 

[Dirigible]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
ribs are cheap as fuck. it's the 8 hours of smoking + labor involved thats expensive

That's very true for brisket and pork butt - you can feed a lot of people meat for cheap if you have a big smoker and don't mind staying up most of the night. Don't know about ribs 'cause I don't like 'em too much.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Even buying bulk and smoking them yourself are looking at around $8-$15 per rack (baby back) depending on weight. They are going for just under $4.00 a pound at Sam's club. A typical full rack of b-backs is around in the ballpark of 2.5 pounds give or take half a pound either direction.

Ribeye on the other hand is about $8-$12 a pound raw weight depending on the particular quality of the cut. Pound per pound ribs are cheaper by raw weight. It's just that there is a lot more weight to a rack that you can't eat that brings up the per pound cost.

Plus there's the whole time/effort/amount of fuel it takes to cook ribs. 4 hours for baby backs, 6 hours for a full slab.

Yeh there's a time thing, but in a restaurant those guys are using a conveyor system and can get a couple hundred racks stuffed in there at a time. Sure it's time consuming, but you set it and forget it.

Steaks are a much more "on demand" and finicky cut to get done right.

 

[Yreka]

There is a pretty good BBQ joint around here that sells rack of Baby backs for $15.. As detailed above, that isnt much more than what you would pay raw..

I still prefer to smoke em myself though + we usually go with Spares.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Even buying bulk and smoking them yourself are looking at around $8-$15 per rack (baby back) depending on weight. They are going for just under $4.00 a pound at Sam's club. A typical full rack of b-backs is around in the ballpark of 2.5 pounds give or take half a pound either direction.

Ribeye on the other hand is about $8-$12 a pound raw weight depending on the particular quality of the cut. Pound per pound ribs are cheaper by raw weight. It's just that there is a lot more weight to a rack that you can't eat that brings up the per pound cost.

Plus there's the whole time/effort/amount of fuel it takes to cook ribs. 4 hours for baby backs, 6 hours for a full slab.

Yeh there's a time thing, but in a restaurant those guys are using a conveyor system and can get a couple hundred racks stuffed in there at a time. Sure it's time consuming, but you set it and forget it.

Steaks are a much more "on demand" and finicky cut to get done right.

I don't know. I've seen plenty big smokers out back making ribs (can't see how you could do it indoors without great ventilation). At a dedicated BBQ place I can see a rotating conveyor, not at ruby tuesdays, which suprisingly has decent ribs.

 

[sygyzy]

Sure it takes longer to smoke but it's not like you are sitting there staring at it. You leave it for 4 hours. That's enough time to get a tuneup or visit the mall.

 

[CorCentral]

Most of you state "LONG" cook times for ribs. I thought the majority of people liked raw meat? You demand your steaks to be pink! Why not medium ribs?

When I'm out at a restaurant, I place my order like this everytime for a steak--
EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA well done, Not burned!!, just thoroughly cooked/no pink. I will wait 2 hours while I drink my beer...... no problem/don't rush it!

You ask how many times I've sent steak back? ALOT! Well I always tip the cook real well if it's good and will never accept a free steak unless it's my birthday I will accept a free bartab if the steak was crap!

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: CorCentral
Most of you state "LONG" cook times for ribs. I thought the majority of people liked raw meat? You demand your steaks to be pink! Why not medium ribs?

When I'm out at a restaurant, I place my order like this everytime for a steak--
EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA well done, Not burned!!, just thoroughly cooked/no pink. I will wait 2 hours while I drink my beer...... no problem/don't rush it!

You ask how many times I've sent steak back? ALOT! Well I always tip the cook real well if it's good and will never accept a free steak unless it's my birthday I will accept a free bartab if the steak was crap!

Properly cooked ribs will be somewhat pink. From the smoke.

But seriously, the reason for the long/slow cooking is to break down all the yummy connective tissue and put those lucious, liquid flavors back into the meat.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: Baloo
It's supply and demand. They used to be cheap, but now, because they are popular, their prices have gone up. I am not going to get into price fixing.

Exactly. Go to a grocery store in western NY (home of Buffalo wings) and check out prices of chicken.

Drumsticks/thighs usually about 89 cents a pound
Chicken breasts usually about $1.39 a pound
Boneless skinless chicken breast avg $1.99 a pound

Chicken wings - the parts that once upon a time were simply discarded - $2.39 a pound, last time I looked, about a week ago. It takes a lot of chickens to make an order of a dozen wings. (well, 3 actually)

Chicken wings are the most expensive part of the chicken around here.. Why? popularity. At most cheap type places around here, i.e. pizza shops, bars, etc., a typical order of a dozen wings is at least $6. (A 500% increase from 20 years ago when everyone had 10cent wing nights.)

 

[CorCentral]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: CorCentral
Most of you state "LONG" cook times for ribs. I thought the majority of people liked raw meat? You demand your steaks to be pink! Why not medium ribs?

When I'm out at a restaurant, I place my order like this everytime for a steak--
EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA well done, Not burned!!, just thoroughly cooked/no pink. I will wait 2 hours while I drink my beer...... no problem/don't rush it!

You ask how many times I've sent steak back? ALOT! Well I always tip the cook real well if it's good and will never accept a free steak unless it's my birthday I will accept a free bartab if the steak was crap!

Properly cooked ribs will be somewhat pink. From the smoke.

But seriously, the reason for the long/slow cooking is to break down all the yummy connective tissue and put those lucious, liquid flavors back into the meat.

I comprende' that and the pinkness. Why is it then a 20oz Porterhouse STEAK is rushed in 10-20min? Is it because people like raw steaks or is it something else?

Hey Spidey, The Transformers are catching up

 

[CorCentral]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: Baloo
It's supply and demand. They used to be cheap, but now, because they are popular, their prices have gone up. I am not going to get into price fixing.

Exactly. Go to a grocery store in western NY (home of Buffalo wings) and check out prices of chicken.

Drumsticks/thighs usually about 89 cents a pound
Chicken breasts usually about $1.39 a pound
Boneless skinless chicken breast avg $1.99 a pound

Chicken wings - the parts that once upon a time were simply discarded - $2.39 a pound, last time I looked, about a week ago. It takes a lot of chickens to make an order of a dozen wings. (well, 3 actually)

Chicken wings are the most expensive part of the chicken around here.. Why? popularity. At most cheap type places around here, i.e. pizza shops, bars, etc., a typical order of a dozen wings is at least $6. (A 500% increase from 20 years ago when everyone had 10cent wing nights.)

And a whole chicken with tons of meat is what....... $2.50-$3.00? It is crazy

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
ribs are cheap as fuck. it's the 8 hours of smoking + labor involved thats expensive

Cheap as fuck huh? I've found that fucking is generally pretty expensive in the long run. Being single and not fucking is definitely cheaper.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
ribs are cheap as fuck. it's the 8 hours of smoking + labor involved thats expensive

Cheap as fuck huh? I've found that fucking is generally pretty expensive in the long run. Being single and not fucking is definitely cheaper.

you like pouring cristal over the womens or something? haha

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: CorCentral
Hey Spidey, The Transformers are catching up

Different kinds of meat. Barely worked muscles are soft/tender without much tough tissue - fast cook is best. For example, the tenderest cuts of beef come from where the muscle doesn't do much work. Also another reason by baby cow is so extremely tasty.

Hard working muscles are tougher with more tissue, low and slow is best.

oh, and I want to see inflation adjusted figures.

 

[CorCentral]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: CorCentral
Hey Spidey, The Transformers are catching up

Different kinds of meat. Barely worked muscles are soft/tender without much tough tissue - fast cook is best. For example, the tenderest cuts of beef come from where the muscle doesn't do much work. Also another reason by baby cow is so extremely tasty.

Hard working muscles are tougher with more tissue, low and slow is best.

oh, and I want to see inflation adjusted figures.

That's an interesting view. So Steak is weaker and Ribs have not a clue? j/k
Thanks for the info Pilgrim.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
ribs are cheap as fuck. it's the 8 hours of smoking + labor involved thats expensive

Cheap as fuck huh? I've found that fucking is generally pretty expensive in the long run. Being single and not fucking is definitely cheaper.

you like pouring cristal over the womens or something? haha

Dating isn't cheap but sex is definitely worth the expense. There are a few dates I wish I could have had a refund on though.

Good ribs are worth every penny though. Mmm, ribs...ahhhh.

Edit-Baby back ribs are my favorite. I like to marinate them in a rub I make and let them sit for 24 hours before they go on the grill for a 1.5-2 hour slow cook. Sooo much flavor, sooo much tender delicious goodness. Kind of like sex actually.

 

[mrrman]

love them both