Memphis dry ribs are smoked much the way other barbecue pork ribs are prepared. However in Memphis the quality of the ribs and the flavor of the meat are much more important than any sauce or seasoning. This is an old tradition that dates back to the early days of barbecue when a barbecue shack really was a shack. As times changed the tradition held out because these really are about the best ribs in the world.
The Ribs: Memphis ribs are typically spareribs cut St. Louis style. This means that you take the full sparerib rack and trim it to nice, neat ribs. Start by laying the ribs out, bone side down and cutting along the line of fat at the base of the ribs. This will give you anice piece of cartilaginous rib tips. Now flip over the rack and cut off the flap of meat in the middle of the rack. If you grill this and the rib tips up they make a great appetizer. Lastly, remove the membrane from the back of the ribs to let in the flavor and allow excess fat to melt away. Memphis tradition also suggests that you remove the long muscle from the front of the ribs. If you look at the rack, bone side down, you can see it. This really isn't necessary and to be honest I'm not entirely sure why it used to be done. Generally you don't see it anymore.
The Rub: Since these ribs are served without sauce the rub is your only source of flavor aside from the meat. Memphis style rubs are generally mild in flavor and should be applied generously. Some places will roll racks of ribs in dry rub and cake it thick on the meat. What happens here is that the moisture from the meat mixes with the rub to make a kind of thick sauce on the surface of the ribs.
Mopping: One trick to adding moisture to Memphis style ribs is to apply a mop. A mop is a thin sauce that "mopped" on meats as they cook. A great way to make up the perfect mop for your Memphis ribs is to take your dry rub and add water and maybe a little ketchup (if you want). Make the mop thin and runny and apply it to the ribs every 30 minutes to an hour while they smoke.
Smoking: Smoke these wonderful ribs as normal but be careful not to knock too much of the rub from the ribs. Memphis style pork ribs give you and your guests the best of both worlds. Properly smoked these "dry" ribs won't be dry and those you like sauce and add it at the table. Those you like the meaty flavor of these ribs and just dig in, it gives them more time to eat.
