Jason-- Beef ribs are what is left when one bones a rib roast so, of course, much meat ends up on the roast. However, not a few continue to trim the ribs to make them look better (the trimmings likely end up in gorund beef). Sometimes you can find a place that has enough calls for meaty beef ribs that they cut them right and then leave them alone. Often, one has to specify what one is looking for.
Beef short ribs come from the lower end of the roast and also from the plate. They are usually fattier.
Yep, c, they can be unctuous. I don't cook them unless I can find good ones at the store abd that doesn't happen often around here. If meaty, they often need a little trimming of fat and do benefit from slow cooking to get rid of more of it.