1 lb of ribs serves 1 to 2 people, although it can vary.
If the ribs are the main course with sides, aim for 1/2 lb "raw weight" or 3 to 4 bones per adult, and 1/3 lb raw weight or 2 to 3 bones is good with other meats and expect less bones or smaller portions for kids.
Beef ribs are also larger than pork ribs, so 1 lb of beef ribs may serve less people than 1 lb of pork ribs.
Baby back pork ribs are leaner while spareribs like the St. Louis Style have more fat and bone affecting the yield of meat.
Although you fixture on at least 1 lb of ribs per person or if the person eats more then figure on 1 and 1/2 lbs of ribs per person then you should have enough ribs.
So for example for 20 people, I'd recommend at least 3 ribs per person as an average? Then make it 4 or 5 to ensure you have enough ribs.
Short ribs in the grocery store are often just called short ribs, although the short ribs in grocery stores may also be called chuck short ribs.
You can find the short ribs in grocery stores being cut different ways like English cut or thick, bone in slices for braising, Flanken cut, "thin slices across several bones, good Korean BBQ and grilling", and even Boneless short ribs which is often from the chuck and great for stewing, and they're sometimes labeled as Braising Ribs, Dino Ribs or even Plate Short Ribs.
Common labels you'll see in grocery stores for short ribs include.
English Cut which is a thick, chunky pieces with one bone, perfect for slow cooking (braising/roasting).
Flanken Cut are thin slices with bits of bone, popular for quick grilling.
Boneless Short Ribs are meat cut from the bone, often from the chuck.
Braising Ribs is a general term for slow-cooking cuts like English-cut short ribs.
Chuck Short Ribs come from the shoulder, very flavorful and marbled.
Plate Short Ribs come from the lower rib section, can be sold whole or cut.
A good price for beef ribs per pound is between $4.00 lb to $8.00 lb for budget and bulk purchases like from Costco and between $8.00 lb to $12.00 lb for standard grocery short ribs.
And a good price for prime or specialty cut beef ribs per lb is between $12.00 lb to $20.00 lb although some beef ribs may cost more per lb.
Typical price ranges for budget and bulk beef ribs is $3.99 lb to $6.99 lb for beef back ribs or untrimmed plates at whole clubs stores.
Typical price ranges for choice grade short ribs at regular supermarkets is $8.00 lb to $12.00 lb.
Typical price for premium USDA prime grass fed or well trimmed short ribs from specialty butchers or even online can be $12.00 lb to $20.00 or more per lbs.
The factors that influence and determine the price of the beef ribs per lb are the cut of beef ribs, the grade of beef ribs, butcher vs store and trimming.
Beef back ribs from the ribeye are usually cheaper than chuck short ribs from the shoulder.
Prime beef ribs are more expensive than choice or select beef ribs.
Specialty butchers and restaurants also charge more for the beef ribs per lb than bulk stores.
And boneless or trimmed beef ribs cost more than bone in and untrimmed cuts.