Should meat fall off the bone?

[Gustav717]

Having an argument with a co-worker. He says real barbecue spare ribs fall right off the bone. I disagree. Anytime I make ribs, or anytime I visit BBQ or rib joints, the meat has to be chewed off the bone. Question: Does good barbecue spare ribs feature meat that "falls off" the bones?

[livefreeordie]

Whenever I smoke ribs, they are so tender that they pretty much fall off the bone. Also, I season them with Stubbs rub and brush on some Stubbs moppin sauce about 2 hrs before they are finished, and nobody ever uses any Q sauce on the finished product- they all say that the ribs taste great, right out of the smoker.

[mroliveloaf]

The meat has to retain some of it`s integrity. It should be tender, but not *that* tender. When I want it that way, I braise it.

[aubin]

sign that the rib has been overcooked. Tender is good. Having the rib disintegrate upon contact is, not so good. Who wants to eat ribs with a fork?

[BousH]

it should not actually fall off. That would indicate overcooking.

[kraxy]

of the bigger bbq events featured on the FoodTV channel. Points were deducted for "fall off the bone".

[Ed1]

It should be whatever you enjoy! Everyone was raised different, if you`re preference is for slightly chewy then Ta` Heck with everyone else. I eat a lot of rib tips from restuarants and they always are too tough, I cook mine till they are "Tender" no, not fall`n off the bone but pert near. Don`t care `bout no contest rules! Sweets

[lnx.flocki]

I like them at the point where a good tug on the bone will pop it right out without disturbing the integrity of the meat. Also, if you can easily tear the rack in half without having to use a knife.
Completely disintegrating falling off the bone is no good, but too chewy is worse.

[Surge_Dvinith]

easily turn the bone in the meat. Beyond that, they`re overdone.
I`ve had a few "fall off the bone" ribs in my time. Can`t say I liked eatin them off the napkin in my lap.

[Dan]

If you make stew in a crockpot, the meat will fall off the bones. That`s fine for stew, but I don`t think it`s desireable for BBQ. You can get meat like that in a pit if you wrap it in foil and essentially steam it. Many people do this, for part of the cooking time, often to finish.
I prefer tender meat, but not so soft that it falls off the bone. YMMV.