boo Smithfield.

[fxsales1959]

Just a little gripe.
WD had St Loius ribs on sale so i snagged a slab. They're cryosealed so you can't really see what you got.
Unfortunately at WD most ribs are Smithfield. I've got a dislike for Smithfield due to the ownership, but have noticed the quality diminishing. When I unpacked to rub I was surprised that they were fairly straight though the back had a big 'ol flap of "fat meat" which I trimmed and worked around. The cook went ok until i tried to slice the ribs. They were close to perfect bite, and I was happy until my knife hit bone when slicing. There were three ribs in the slab that were completely broken. I read a long article "Wiki" on Smithfield and am about done with them.
Did salvage the ribs though.

 

[SmokinEdge]

I pass on Smithfield for the same reasons plus a lot of their ribs are “enhanced “ so they come out of the bag salty.

When I do ribs I go to the local restaurant supply store and buy them cryo 3 racks to a package. Best ribs I ever cook. Very worth while searching out a restaurant supply near you.

 

[crazymoon]

FX1959, I hear ya about Smithfield BUT sometimes it's the only game in town at my local stores . :(

 

[normanaj]

FX1959, I hear ya about Smithfield BUT sometimes it's the only game in town at my local stores . :(

Same here.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

I pass on Smithfield for the same reasons plus a lot of their ribs are “enhanced “ so they come out of the bag salty.

Me, too. I can get Swift brand at Food Lion which is owned by JBS, a Brazilian company, so better? Who knows, but at least it's an alternative to Smithfield...

 

[SmokinEdge]

Me, too. I can get Swift brand at Food Lion which is owned by JBS, a Brazilian company, so better? Who knows, but at least it's an alternative to Smithfield...

Swift seems fine. Kroger brand seems fine, my Safeway has their signature select brand that is fine. But the Shamrock restaurant supply store has the best ribs for me.

 

[Fueling Around]

I know of the ownership thing, but avoid Smithfield of the quality.

FX1959, I hear ya about Smithfield BUT sometimes it's the only game in town at my local stores . :(

Local Wally changed from Smithfield to a brand (don't remember the name) that has been decent quality so I will actually buy it now and then.

Me, too. I can get Swift brand at Food Lion which is owned by JBS, a Brazilian company, so better? Who knows, but at least it's an alternative to Smithfield...

Swift was a familiar brand growing up as they had a meat packing plant in St. Paul so it was a big Minnesota brand. The name disappeared for many years but JBS is doing what a lot of companies do for marketing. Resurrecting old familiar brand names.
Costco carries the swift brand here in MN/ND and in Florida.
I haven't looked closely to see where the plants are located

I pass on Smithfield for the same reasons plus a lot of their ribs are “enhanced “ so they come out of the bag salty.
...

Local grocery chain used to carry Hormel and most of it was "enhanced". Sometimes the price was so cheap I couldn't pass it up. 2 day soak in the stock pot and it still .... salty.

 

[kelbro]

Swift was poor quality the last time that I purchased their ribs. Smithfield is about average. Hard to find decent pork in retail. We have a lot of pig farmers here but they price their meat like it's Wagyu.