Of the 10 best supermarkets in the U.S. listed in a recent Food and Wine article, only WinCo (two locations), Whole Foods (four), and Trader Joe’s (five) have stores in Las Vegas. The valley doesn’t offer the total grocery-shopping experience of Wegman’s in upstate New York or H-E-B in Texas, but Las Vegas residents can take advantage of an extremely well-priced variety and, with a little hunting, an interesting selection of Las Vegas-only specialty markets.
Before putting this post together, I emailed a note to a dozen Las Vegas friends, asking where and why they purchase their groceries, and I was very pleased with the quick responses. I also learned a lot.
There are two (or three, depending on how you differentiate) large supermarket chains in Las Vegas: Smith’s (36 stores, owned by Krogers), Albertson’s (20), and Vons (nine, now owned by Albertson’s). All three have locations close to my apartment, but I patronize Vons, as it’s within walking distance, plus I know their three different discount systems (special club prizes, online coupons, gas/grocery rewards) very well. And according the responses to my survey, all my friends who shop at one of these stores do so for the very same reasons: convenient location and they know how to save money at that store. They, like me, don’t see a great deal of differentiation in price or quality.
The organic crowd goes to Trader’s Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Sprouts Farmer’s Market, a small national chain (only 300 stores in 19 states) that has nine stores in Las Vegas. I’ve visited the one near me a few times and though the selection isn’t huge, it has many good-quality items at prices considerably lower than “Whole Paycheck.” Hint: Don’t go on Saturdays unless you excel at grocery-cart maneuvering; in fact, go on Wednesdays when specials from both last week and this week are available.
Las Vegas is also home to two Costcos and six Sam’s Clubs. As a single individual, I avoid both — my food and gas purchases don’t justify the annual membership fee — and too much of my “savings” ends up in the trash six months later. However, several friends sung the praises of WinCo, an employee-owned discount supermarket with two outlets in the city that requires no membership fee and has prices comparable to (and better quality than) Walmart. I plan to check it out.
Specialty-store recommendations include: International Marketplace, Rani’s World Market, Seafood City, 99 Ranch Market Chinatown, and of course the world-famous Freed Bakery.
Thanks to Howard Stutz, Laura Olson-Reyes, John L. Smith, Bernie Kroviak, Bob Dancer, Richard Munchkin, Dave Newton, Linda McGlasson, Buck Wargo, and Marcus Prater for their feedback.
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Regarding Costco, there are now four in the valley: two in Henderson, one in the north, and one (“Business Center,” but open to all members) right near the Spaghetti Bowl. Now that I’m a household of one, I’m struggling with whether or not to renew my membership when it comes up in the spring, but I’m leaning to “yes,” as the fuel cost savings alone cover most of the membership, and I do very little driving.
Another outlet for groceries that went unmentioned, but that I find occasionally useful, is Smart and Final, a small Southern California chain with seven outlets in the valley.
My local Sam’s Club closed a few months back. BOO.
I got my membership refunded. Cool.
I bought a LOT of beer and sodas there.
Absolutely the best prices in town. No,really.
My last purchase was (9) 36 packs of Mountain Dew.
Seattle now has a “sugar tax” on all flavored drinks including COFFEE!
My little Supra was dragging the muffler on the way out of the parking lot.
My membership fee does justify the savings. Well,it did.
My Discover card gives me 5% cash back on where house purchases.(SP) for this month.
Also on Amazon.
I miss my Sam’s Club.I like Trader Joe’s. !
Actually,my Rite Aid has beer and booze at great prices.better than Sam’s.
Going to a 99 Ranch Market is as much a cultural experience as it is a shopping trip – highly recommended, at least once. Also, if you’re into really fresh fish, or love champagne/ataulfo/honey mangos (March through September is the season), particularly by the case, you should check out this supermarket.
Would love to see an Aldi’s Market replace the old Von’s/Haggen Supermarket in Boca Park.
I find Las Vegas supermarkets to be overpriced compared to supermarkets at home (Pennsylvania) and in need of remodeling. I visit Vons or Smith’s because they are close to my condo. I have a card for each, but since neither Kroger or Albertson’s own stores anywhere near where I live I probably am not getting all of the discounts. There is a Smith’s and 2 Vons near the condo and all 3 look like they haven’t been remodeled since the 1970s. I visited a Walmart once but I didn’t find the prices much lower than the big grocery chains in town.
I shop at the 99-cent Store once a week. Fruit and vegetables are very cheap here. Selection varies but I go here first to supplement my main shopping at Smith’s. And if you just roam the aisles, you might be surprised what bargains you will find.
There were other markets left out that would be considered specialty that I love so shop at. Cardenas, Marianas and El Super.
Martin, you forgot the Costco in Summerlin on Charlston. Also for ethnic shoppers. Smith’s market on Rampart/Lake Meade in Summerlin has the “Kosher Connection” inside the store, but separate. They have everything the Jewish family could want. Their home made matzah ball soup is just as good as my mother or grandmothers.