Is there a difference between beef short ribs and beef spare ribs or does beef even have short ribs?

Answer 1

 Actually, spare ribs come from beef and pork and are the whole rib bone. Short ribs  are almost always beef and are cut from the ends of the ribs during bucthering because of the amount of bone-to-meat, gristle, and toughness of the meat. They are usually no more than an inch or so thick.

Answer 2

yes, there is a difference.

People tend to think short ribs are a better cut but I enjoy  beef spare ribs more.

Beef spare ribs have the meet on the side similar to pork ribs while short ribs have the meeting on the top and bottom. Short ribs have viens of fat running through them. Inspect the package before you buy. Butchers will slip a bad fatty rib here or there.