When eating ribs, do you prefer baby back or spare? Not really sure of the difference? Don’t be ashamed; you are not alone. Many people have no clue what separates these two common versions of barbecued ribs. And although you really can’t go wrong with either option, it helps to know the difference between the two.

Continue reading to learn the key differences between baby back ribs and spareribs, plus, where to get the tastiest BBQ baby back rib special tonight in Downtown Indianapolis!

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Comparing Baby Back Ribs to Spareribs

To an untrained palate, it may seem like all ribs are the same. But to a barbecue ribs lover, the difference is distinct. The confusion often happens with baby back ribs and spareribs because many diners can’t recall what it is that truly sets them apart. To understand the difference, you need to know that pork ribs come from the same two places on a pig, and the type of ribs depend on the area in which the meat is cut.

Facts About Spareribs

Spareribs are also known as side ribs. You can think of them as the bigger brother to baby backs. They come from the underbelly of the pig where the bacon comes from. Compared to the popular baby back cut, spareribs are thicker and meatier, and generally come with the sternum, costal cartilage, and flap still attached.

These are the ribs that are traditionally prepared St. Louis style or Louisiana style, which is something you will commonly see at restaurants and barbecue competitions. In these cases, spareribs that are prepared in these styles usually have their costal cartilage trimmed from the top and the flaps removed from the back, giving the meat a uniform rectangular shape.

Facts About Baby Back Ribs

Baby back ribs are also referred to as loin ribs or back ribs. They are cut from the backside of a pig along the spine, which also happens to be very close to the area where pork chops are cut from. Compared to spareribs, they are less meaty and fatty, and cook much faster; however, they still retain flavors and moisture very well when cooked properly, making them very tender. They are also the more commercially-promoted meat. This actually contributes to their higher price points because they are higher in demand due to mass marketing.

We get it; now your mouth is watering for some delicious, fall-of-the-bone ribs in Indy! Well, you are in luck! Just come into English Ivy’s Pub and Eatery tonight for our mouth-watering barbequed baby back rib dinner special in Downtown Indianapolis! Enjoy food and drink specials all week long, including weekend brunch!

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You may know what’s in them; but do you know where they got their name from? Popular staples in the bar industry like Bloody Mary’s, Manhattans, Screwdrivers, and Old Fashioned drinks have names that make you question their origins.

Below you can read through a list of popular cocktails just like these to learn a brief description of how they got their names. Then you can share this thought-provoking information with your peers the next time you gather together for a round or two!

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Famous Cocktails and Their Moniker Origins

Bloody Mary

Bloody Mary’s are tangy, spicy cocktails made from a tomato juice and vodka base and mixed with a variation of spices and ingredients like salt, pepper, garlic, lemon juice, celery, Worcestershire, and more. Although the origin of the name has many stories and remains quite ambiguous, most agree that it is named after Queen Mary I of England, who was dubbed “Bloody Mary” for attempting to re-establish the Catholic Church.

Cosmopolitan

Also known as a “Cosmo” for short, the Cosmopolitan was made famous in the television series, “Sex in the City.” However, the Cosmopolitan was influencing the bar industry long before its red carpet debut. Primarily constructed with vodka, triple sec, and cranberry juice, this popular martini-style drink’s name is said to have come from Neal Murray of the Cork & Cleaver steak house in Minneapolis in 1975. Supposedly, he added a splash of cranberry juice to a Kamikaze and said, “How Cosmopolitan.”

Dirty Martini

The Dirty Martini is a simple and sophisticated cocktail for vodka and gin drinkers. Primarily made with vodka or gin, vermouth, olive brine or juice, and garnished with green bar olives, this cocktail has a name that suggests something “unclean” or perhaps even “unscrupulous.” But the real origin of its name actually unknown. It is suggested that it describes the muddied, clouded appearance the olive brine gives the liquor.

Long Island Iced Tea

A Long Island Iced Tea traditionally contains vodka, tequila, light rum, triple sec, gin, and a splash of cola. It makes sense that this all-inclusive cocktail began in Long Island, New York; right? Well, this is actually true. A man by the name Robert “Rosebud” Butt claims he invented the drink in 1972 after entering a contest while working at the Oak Beach Inn in Long Island, New York.

Mai Tai

Mai Tai drinks are commonly made with white and dark rum, orange curacao, fresh lime juice, and almond flavoring syrup. These Polynesian-style ingredients may be what inspired the name. A man named Victor J. Bergeron claimed to invent the drink in 1944 when he made it for his friends who were visiting from Tahiti. In Tahitian language, “Maita’i” means “good.”

Manhattan

Universally made with whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters, the Manhattan is a classic bar drink. Although the origin is unclear, it is said that the drink was created at the Manhattan Club in New York City in the early 1870’s for a banquet in honor of presidential candidate, Samuel J. Tilden. People began calling this drink the “Manhattan cocktail” after the club. Pair it with a Beef Manhattan for a real treat!

Old Fashioned

An Old Fashioned is not exactly what the name implies. It is made by muddling sugar with bitters, then adding whiskey or brandy, and finished with a twist of citrus rind. But the ingredients are not where the name comes from. Traditionally, the Old Fashion is served in a short, round, tumbler-like glass called an “Old Fashion glass.” This is where the name likely comes from.

Screwdriver

There are several stories about this popular breakfast-style cocktail and its origins. The most supported story regarding its name suggests that it began with American oil workers working in the Persian Gulf during the 1920’s. They didn’t have a regular steel spoon to stir their drink, so they used whatever they had on hand that worked; and a screwdriver was always the most reliable tool nearby.

Are you craving one of these frosty, classic cocktails now? Visit English Ivy’s Downtown Pub and Eatery and enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner, and delicious drinks all weekend long. Be sure to check out our weekly specials, too!

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Monthly Archives: December 2021

Are Baby Back Ribs and Spareribs the Same Thing?