Albertsons Smith’s Merger Will See 16 Nevada Stores Sold

As we've been telling you for a bit, Albertsons (owner of Vons) and Kroger (owner of Smith's) are seeking to join forces via a merger. But if that happens, they will most certainly have to sell off locations in Nevada. Today, a list of 15 Southern Nevada grocery stores (and one in Elko) that will be closed post-Albertsons-Smith's merger was released. Get ready for a lot of change (potentially).

If the merger goes through (which we will touch on in a bit), Albertsons has a plan to ensure it will clear any monopoly issues in Southern Nevada. They have plans to spin off all of the properties on the list to a company called C&S Wholesale Grocers, the company behind grocery brands in other parts of the United States like Grand Union and Piggly Wiggly. We are personally pulling for Piggly Wiggly.

Brace yourself, because you very likely have a location within a short distance from you that will not be an Albertsons or Vons in the near future.

Before you hold a candlelight vigil at your local Albertsons or Vons, hold up. There is a big brouhaha when it comes to the Albertsons Smith's merger.

The Federal Trade Commission has joined forces with several state Attorneys General (including here in Nevada) to try to put a stop to the Albertsons Smith's merger that will see two major grocery corporations, Albertsons and Kroger, merge into one company.

While both companies are trying to compare themselves to Walmart who rakes in the most in grocery sales nationwide, the FTC is arguing that the Walmart grocery experience is not the same as a proper grocery store. In markets like Southern Nevada, we had three major grocers in Albertsons, Vons and Smith's a decade ago. Then Albertsons and Vons merged.

With the Albertsons Smith's merger, critics argue there is a strong likelihood prices could rise with competition whittled down to a whisper. Comparison shopping for the cheapest strawberries will be near irrelevant with the illusion of choice. Where you could go to Smith's for the deal one week, then Vons or Albertsons the next week, there is a chance that comparison shopping will no longer be an option.

Obviously we don't know how this is going to play out. Albertsons and Kroger will be hauled into court by the Federal Trade Commission next month to determine whether or not the deal will be allowed to go through. The FTC had success in putting an end to the JetBlue Spirit merger, so it isn't out of the question that this could get complicated and shot down.

But if it doesn't, we are serious. We want Piggly Wiggly.

When it comes to good pizza in Vegas, locals have their choice of different eateries that serve all manner of pizza styles. But when it comes specifically to the best New York pizza in Vegas, you can’t just ask the locals. You have to ask the locals from New York. And that's just what we did.

We recently turned to our favorite Las Vegas locals app, Nextdoor, to see which restaurant our neighbors thought serve the best New York pizza in Vegas. And boy did we get some tasty insight. Some pizza places had unanimous votes from multiple patrons. Others were mentioned by just one person, but with the promise it really is the best New York pizza in Vegas. And these suggestions coming from people in Vegas who come from the Big Apple.

Related: 7 Places For The Best Tamales In Las Vegas

Before we get into the list, let’s just mention why the type of pizza you’re looking for matters. And what people say is superior about New York style. According to GoldBelly.com, you can spot a New York pizza about a mile away. You’ll know it by the huge crust that’s thin and cut into slices about a foot long.

The New York pizza is the one you’ll see people folding in half and eating like a taco. An easy thing to do with how big and thin the slices are. Some people who prefer thicker crusts or their pie cut into square pieces will say their pizza is superior to the New York style. But there’s at least one thing you have to admit when it comes to pizza from the Big Apple. It’s a great conversation piece. In fact, those large crusts are meant to bring people together to eat and mingle.

You can’t argue with food that brings people together. And pretty much any pizza is going to do that because it’s just the ultimate “comfort with friends” food. But if you’re specifically looking for the best New York pizza in Vegas, here are the places locals from the East Coast swear by.

Disclaimer: Vegas locals know there are way too many New York pizza places in town to narrow it down to just five. These are just five places you can try when you're craving that style, where you won't be disappointed.

One New York neighbor said this is the absolute best place in Vegas for New York style pizza. In fact, he said eating at Dom DeMarco’s in Vegas is just like being in a pizzeria on the East Coast. Hard to beat that! But we can beat it, because these guys also scored the Gold in "Best of Las Vegas" 2023.

Dom Demarco’s is located at 9785 West Charleston Blvd in the Lakes in Summerlin. They offer online ordering, catering and a happy hour. 

https://domdemarcos.com/

If you want a true New York pizza from a New Yorker, check out Anna Marie’s. The owner is from Brooklyn. As the name says, they serve more than just pizza. They have a variety of Italian dishes made Neapolitan-style. Keep in mind locals say it’s not the cheapest place, but they also say it’s worth the price.

Anna Marie’s offers online ordering, catering, a happy hour, Vegan menu and gluten-free pizza options. They are located at 10170 West Tropicana Avenue on the corner at Hualapai. They’re closed Mondays and open late (til 9 p.m. on school nights and 10 p.m. weekends) the rest of the week.

https://annamariesitaliancuisine.com/

Locals seem pretty unanimous about how good this place is for Brooklyn-style pizza. They say it’s foldable and that the cheese is the right texture, which is something New Yorkers are picky about when it comes to their pie.  Carmine’s fans say this pie is true New York pizza.

Not to be confused with the Carmine’s in the Forum Shoppes, Carmine's Pizza Kitchen is located at Fort Apache and Sunset. They also have locations on Horizon Ridge, American Pacific and Raiders Way. Stop by during lunch and try their pizza by the slice!

https://carminespizzakitchen.com/

Here's another place that locals from New York say feel like home. Brooklyn's Best is owned by a guy actually from Brooklyn (if you heard his accent, you'd have no doubt) who is committed to making some seriously tasty food. Another "Best of Las Vegas" winner, these guys do more than just pizza. You can also get pasta, salads, wings, sandwiches and more. 

Brooklyn's Best has two locations in Vegas. One on Tropicana and Fort Apache and another at Charleston and Industrial Road. 

https://brooklynsbestpizzaandpasta.com/

If you're in the Arts District in Downtown Vegas, you have to stop by Good Pie. It's a Brooklyn-style pizza shop that was founded by award-winning pizzaiolo Vincent Rotolo. They specialize in Grandma's Pizza and honor old New York traditions when it comes to their food. But these guys are also open to visitors, as they have a Detroit-style option on their menu as well. Gluten-free or Vegan? They've got options for you too.

Good Pie is located at 1212 South Main Street in the Arts District. Open seven days a week at 11 a.m.

https://www.goodpie.com/