Spare rib opinion

[Oak Smoke]

Three of my wife’s high school girlfriends are showing up here later this month to hang out on the back porch and go for a dip in the pool once in a while. I’ve only met one of them briefly so I know nothing of their tastes or preferences. One of the nights they are here I’m going to serve spare ribs. I like Texas cut ribs, no chine bone and the thin spots trimmed off but other than that the rib tips are left on the ribs. I’m going to do a rack of savory and a glazed rack to cover my bases. Here’s my question, are you bothered by the two strips of cartilage in the rib tips? Would you trim it off or leave it. As we all know in BBQ we get one shot at a good first impression. I’m leaning toward leaving the tips on right now but would like your opinion.

[Donw]

Personally I’m in the leave the tips on group. They don’t have to eat them but they are there in case they do. I enjoy the tips myself.

[mrteddyprincess]

I skimmed the other responses, and I see that most of us would create St. Louis style and serve that way. That includes me. BUT, you, the master cook that you are, were already leaning toward your Texas Style Pride, and I don't want that to disappear from this cook! No explanations. No need to consider teeth. Serve the dang ribs the way you want to and you can't go wrong! Oak Smoke

B

[Steve R.]

I'm personally not bothered by it, and would be fine with it left on. But when in doubt, I'd trim and cook the rib tips separately.

[bbqLuv]

Ditto
I prefer the St Louis cut of full spares. So almost always I trim off the tips and cook them separately. "Pit Master" snack, so to speak.

[Murdy]

There's a chance at least some of them would find that off-putting, so I'd probably err on the side of caution and remove.

[Smoker_Boy]

I vote for trimming.

[Panhead John]

I’m also in the trim camp, not many people are fans of the cartilage.

[bbqLuv]

Fans of cartilage love Sturgeon--No Bones about it!

[PGH_RAM]

I'd trim and cook the rib tips for myself as a reward for being a good husband.

[FireMan]

I wouldn’t trim em. If properly explained or better put you let the nice ladies know what’s comin at em and why, they will be more than satisfied. I’d be more interested in the glaze, no glaze category. Just a hunch, have some extry glaze on the side.

[Mosca]

I trim them, but only because I repurpose that meat into other things. The strips of cartilage don’t bother me when I get ribs hat have them; it just means bigger ribs.

[texastweeter]

Same. Mine usually goes in the pile with the flap, then used for beans

[Jfrosty27]

I like the rib tips myself but wifey hates them and won’t even consider eating spare ribs unless they’re completely gone. So if I was in your spot, I’d trim them off to be safe.

[Smoker_Boy]

I wouldn’t trim em. If properly explained or better put you let the nice ladies know what’s comin at em and why, they will be more than satisfied. I’d be more interested in the glaze, no glaze category. Just a hunch, have some extry glaze on the side.

Trust me, they aren't going to care.

[LA Pork Butt]

I think I would trim them to St Louis cut and cook the rib tips separate. I have my doubts as to whether the ladies would be into rib tips, but if they are they will be readily available. If not it’s a bonanza for you.

[hoovarmin]

I'd trim and make some beans

[texastweeter]

I knew I liked you for some reason. Same here.

[STEbbq]

I am not a fan of rib tips and wouldn’t want to assume the ladies are fans. I’d trim and if you want, serve them alongside the ribs in whatever you have done with them (beans etc) so they can decide for themselves.

[Uncle Bob]

First a question; do they have teeth?

So here's my suggestion. Make 'em the way you always have, and in the pre meal conversation talk about how you are presenting them with a Texas style treat. At which point you can test them for their preferences. For any who don't like the tips, when you cut the racks just take an extra swipe with the knife..............."problem" solved, and a chance for the rest of the folks (even if it's only you) to have some good nibblies.

[Oak Smoke]

Dang I forgot about the teeth issue. That hasn’t been something to consider since the dating days in my 50’s. I know one has vision problems and another has had a hip replaced but teeth slipped my mind. Wow I’m getting old.