Sam's Smithfield Ribs

Pack-A-Smokes · 08-15-2012, 11:52 PM

We have been confounded by Sam's ribs for a while now. We really liked the IBP ribs that our Sam's here in East TN had then they changed them to Smithfield. They were OK for a while and then the quality went down hill fast. We would buy 6-9 racks and it would take that many to get enough to turn in.
Last year we were in Greensboro, NC Sam's Local and we had used the Smithfield. The Sam's Club General Manager came by and gave me a hard time because I had Kirkland's (Costco) cooking spray sitting on my smoker. I then proceeded to give him down the road about Smithfield ribs. We took a top five in ribs and GC overall so I told him I had no problem eating my words.
This year when we have used the Sam's Smithfield ribs, we usually get one good rack and two not so good racks. This past weekend the middle rack of each pack had a cut straight down the middle of the top or the rack. That was two racks we could not use!
We complained to the local Sam's and the "Fresh Manager" contacted us and said he was trying to change but needed ammunition. We told him our story about how we could not use such ribs and also our problem of actually getting ribs at our local Sam's. So far this has not helped our cause.
Has anyone else had this problem with Smithfield ribs? I personally hate them, but at this point there is not another place local that I can buy ribs that are not frozen or already injected with "enhancing juices".

Pappy Q · 08-16-2012, 07:05 AM

My local SAMs in east Louisville hasn't had ANY ribs all summer long. 1 or 2 packs of butts and 1 or 2 whole packers. The last several years they had good supply and quality, don't know what happened this year.

Sledneck · 08-16-2012, 07:13 AM

All of my local clubs up until last week had prairie fresh,i loved them. they dropped them and now they have ibp. I hate them. I July i used the smith fields in Troy ny, I thought they sucked

Carnivorous Endeavors BBQ · 08-16-2012, 10:42 AM

+1 smithfield ribs suck

Rich Parker · 08-16-2012, 11:29 AM

Last two years my local Sam's Club had nice consistent IBP spares and pork butts. This year it has been hit or miss with whatever they can buy the cheapest. Lately they have been putting their label on Farmland ribs and they look awful.

Trucky1008 · 08-16-2012, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sledneck

All of my local clubs up until last week had prairie fresh,i loved them. they dropped them and now they have ibp. I hate them. I July i used the smith fields in Troy ny, I thought they sucked

My Sam's Club normally carries IBP but last year for a few weeks all they had was Prairie Fresh. I used the Prairie Fresh in 2 comps and finished 1st and 2nd in ribs. They've since gone back to IBP. I want Prairie Fresh back!!

Pack-A-Smokes · 08-16-2012, 01:01 PM

The Prairie Fresh is what we have been begging them to carry. They have been telling us that it is only a back up when they can't get Smithfield. Told them it needs to be the other way around. I am at the point of considering from an online company.

Buckscent · 08-16-2012, 06:19 PM

Real stupid question.... What does IBP mean...

Teamfour · 08-16-2012, 06:49 PM

IBP was formerly known as Iowa Beef Processors but is now Tyson Fresh Meats. This could be the reason that Sam's doesn't carry them anymore.

smokeworker · 08-16-2012, 07:34 PM

last week in pittsburgh I settled for the crap at the sam's comp event site. I honestly didnt think We had a chance to advance in our first major competition. I have used Sam's ribs from youngstown plenty of times for catering, and just figured they would be fine. We got a call in chicken and brisket and totally tanked in ribs! the baby backs were amazingly small, and the spares had no meat on them with every bone bent to one side or the other. My fault for not giving myself a chance by getting my ribs at my butcher.........

Sledneck · 08-16-2012, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trucky1008

My Sam's Club normally carries IBP but last year for a few weeks all they had was Prairie Fresh. I used the Prairie Fresh in 2 comps and finished 1st and 2nd in ribs. They've since gone back to IBP. I want Prairie Fresh back!!

Prairie fresh told me today that stores will be carrying the prairie fresh in September . I did manage to find some today for this weekend contest at a supermarket chain. They were individually wrapped which I ve never seen before. I liked that.

"Bone to Bark" BBQ · 08-16-2012, 08:37 PM

I liked Excel brand better than IBP, and Prairie Fresh is OK too! Our local Sams used to carry Excel exclusively and now it's hit and miss.

Rub · 08-16-2012, 08:38 PM

I usually try to avoid Smithfield ribs but had to use them in Franklin. Was fortunate to get some good ones and pull a 2nd.

Captain P.J. · 08-17-2012, 07:01 PM

My local Sam's has been carrying "FarmLand" ribs which are really hit or miss (more miss really)! Luckily, I can get "Swift" brand ribs if I order them a few days before I need them.

Ashmont · 08-17-2012, 07:33 PM

As a partime famer I can tell you that farmers are dumping everything due to the midwest dought. Two things are going to happen... Hit or miss meat and high prices starting Nov Dec. Pork and beef! Until we get some good rain it will take some time to recover.

08-15-2012, 11:52 PM	#1
Pack-A-Smokes On the road to being a farker Join Date: 09-13-11 Location: Johnson City, TN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Sam's Smithfield Ribs We have been confounded by Sam's ribs for a while now. We really liked the IBP ribs that our Sam's here in East TN had then they changed them to Smithfield. They were OK for a while and then the quality went down hill fast. We would buy 6-9 racks and it would take that many to get enough to turn in. Last year we were in Greensboro, NC Sam's Local and we had used the Smithfield. The Sam's Club General Manager came by and gave me a hard time because I had Kirkland's (Costco) cooking spray sitting on my smoker. I then proceeded to give him down the road about Smithfield ribs. We took a top five in ribs and GC overall so I told him I had no problem eating my words. This year when we have used the Sam's Smithfield ribs, we usually get one good rack and two not so good racks. This past weekend the middle rack of each pack had a cut straight down the middle of the top or the rack. That was two racks we could not use! We complained to the local Sam's and the "Fresh Manager" contacted us and said he was trying to change but needed ammunition. We told him our story about how we could not use such ribs and also our problem of actually getting ribs at our local Sam's. So far this has not helped our cause. Has anyone else had this problem with Smithfield ribs? I personally hate them, but at this point there is not another place local that I can buy ribs that are not frozen or already injected with "enhancing juices". __________________ Todd Lang 60DX 22.5 WSM x2 'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban

08-16-2012, 07:13 AM	#3
Sledneck is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 12-04-05 Location: Wantagh, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	All of my local clubs up until last week had prairie fresh,i loved them. they dropped them and now they have ibp. I hate them. I July i used the smith fields in Troy ny, I thought they sucked __________________ BBQ Illuminati Blog Disclaimer: The poster does not take any responsibility for any bad feelings or sense of exclusion that the reader of this post may have-whether real or imagined. Reading threads poses inherent risks. The poster of this thread would like to also remind readers to make sure they have a functional sense of humor before they visit any discussion board.

08-16-2012, 10:42 AM	#4
Carnivorous Endeavors BBQ Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-13-10 Location: Carencro, Louisiana Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	+1 smithfield ribs suck __________________ 2 - 22.5" WSM , Weber 22.5 Performer and a very tolerant, very Beautiful Wife!! Black & Blue Thermapens!! KCBS CBJ & TC #55078 IBCA #2570

08-16-2012, 11:29 AM	#5
Rich Parker Babbling Farker Join Date: 06-20-09 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Last two years my local Sam's Club had nice consistent IBP spares and pork butts. This year it has been hit or miss with whatever they can buy the cheapest. Lately they have been putting their label on Farmland ribs and they look awful. __________________ WSM and UDS - iBQ'n BBQ Team owner TheBBQSuperstore.com

08-16-2012, 01:01 PM	#7
Pack-A-Smokes On the road to being a farker Join Date: 09-13-11 Location: Johnson City, TN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The Prairie Fresh is what we have been begging them to carry. They have been telling us that it is only a back up when they can't get Smithfield. Told them it needs to be the other way around. I am at the point of considering from an online company. __________________ Todd Lang 60DX 22.5 WSM x2 'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban

08-16-2012, 07:05 AM	#2
Pappy Q Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 04-08-10 Location: Elk Creek, KY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	My local SAMs in east Louisville hasn't had ANY ribs all summer long. 1 or 2 packs of butts and 1 or 2 whole packers. The last several years they had good supply and quality, don't know what happened this year.

08-16-2012, 06:19 PM	#8
Buckscent Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 07-09-10 Location: B'ham Alabama Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Real stupid question.... What does IBP mean...

08-16-2012, 06:49 PM	#9
Teamfour is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-13-12 Location: Sterling, VA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	IBP was formerly known as Iowa Beef Processors but is now Tyson Fresh Meats. This could be the reason that Sam's doesn't carry them anymore. __________________ BWS Party \|UDS\|Great Outdoors Propane Vertical\|Bar-B-Chef Offset \|Maverick ET-73 \|Maverick ET-732 \|Super Fast Orange Thermapen \| BBQ Guru DigiQ \|Two 100 QT crawfish boiling rigs \| LEM Meat Grinder \| Grizzly Sausage Stuffer KCBS CBJ

08-16-2012, 07:34 PM	#10
smokeworker Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 05-25-11 Location: Wheatland(just north a da Burgh) ,PA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	last week in pittsburgh I settled for the crap at the sam's comp event site. I honestly didnt think We had a chance to advance in our first major competition. I have used Sam's ribs from youngstown plenty of times for catering, and just figured they would be fine. We got a call in chicken and brisket and totally tanked in ribs! the baby backs were amazingly small, and the spares had no meat on them with every bone bent to one side or the other. My fault for not giving myself a chance by getting my ribs at my butcher......... __________________ Blue Lizzy Smokers https://www.facebook.com/BlueLizzySmokers

08-16-2012, 08:37 PM	#12
"Bone to Bark" BBQ Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-28-12 Location: Hagerstown, MD Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I liked Excel brand better than IBP, and Prairie Fresh is OK too! Our local Sams used to carry Excel exclusively and now it's hit and miss. __________________ UDS, Backwoods G2 Party, Weber OTS, https://www.facebook.com/bonetobarkbbq

08-16-2012, 08:38 PM	#13
Rub is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-25-06 Location: Winter Haven, FL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I usually try to avoid Smithfield ribs but had to use them in Franklin. Was fortunate to get some good ones and pull a 2nd. __________________ -Rub Swamp Boys “Give a man some BBQ and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to BBQ and you feed him for a lifetime.” --Swamp Boys Proverb Sponsored by Yoder Smokers, BBQR's Delight, 3 Eyz, Butcher BBQ, Grizzly Coolers, Wicked Q Gator Nation

08-17-2012, 07:01 PM	#14
Captain P.J. Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-15-10 Location: Menomonie, WI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	My local Sam's has been carrying "FarmLand" ribs which are really hit or miss (more miss really)! Luckily, I can get "Swift" brand ribs if I order them a few days before I need them. __________________ Extreme BBQ Trailer, Backwoods Competitor, 2- 22.5" WSM, 22.5" & 18.5" Weber kettles, 2 Smokey Joe's, Blue & Red Thermapens, KCBS CBJ, Captain PJ's BBQ

08-17-2012, 07:33 PM	#15
Ashmont Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-13-05 Location: St. Louis MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	As a partime famer I can tell you that farmers are dumping everything due to the midwest dought. Two things are going to happen... Hit or miss meat and high prices starting Nov Dec. Pork and beef! Until we get some good rain it will take some time to recover. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ashmont Proud member of Brethren Weber's for life (Rescued 7 kettles in 2007, 1 in 2008, 2 in 2009 and 1 in 2010 Three of which I have and 8 that have gone to Brethren. PM me to get on the waiting list) Weber Kettle Dabomb Weber Kettle Justintime Weber Kettle (Yet to be named by Daughter) Evil Twin Suggested! Weber Kettle Grace WSM "Winni" WSM "Dumas" One Smokey Joe UDS "Peggy Sue" http://ashsmoderndayclubhouse.blogspot.com/