Potbelly Sandwich Shop

263 Washington St, Boston, MA 02108

American

Last inspected: Jan 27, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Potbelly Sandwich Shop appears in inspection records six times, starting in 2023. On Jan 27, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around four violations lately compared to roughly one violation before.

When inspectors have written things up, “cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.

Among Boston restaurants, the typical score is 86; Potbelly Sandwich Shop is comfortably above that bar. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jan 27, 2026

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)

Inspector notes: Missing ceiling tile in back of house storage area. Provide.

590.006/6-201.11-C

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired. Schedule cleaning appointment.

590.006/6-501.14-C

Jan 7, 2026

Routine

1 major violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)

Inspector notes: No sanitizer set up at location. Container at 3 bay sink observed empty. Ensure sanitizer is available at all hours.

590.004/4-303.11-PF

Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)

Inspector notes: Missing ceiling tile in back of house storage area. Provide.

590.006/6-201.11-C

Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)

Inspector notes: Cell phone obsevred in cutting board of production line unit. Remove to prevent potential contaminants.

590.003/3-307.11-C

(a) certified food protection manager (c)

Inspector notes: No certified food manager certificate posted. Provide.

590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired. Schedule cleaning appointment.

590.006/6-501.14-C

Sep 10, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 5 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events (pf)

Inspector notes: Provide proper vomit clean up kit and procedure

590.002/2-501.11-PF

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: front line/clean interior/ exterior of all reach in units/door clean the exterior of Auto Shaan gaskets/cabinets/storage shelving to remove soils and debris remove all cardboard boxes from kitchen floor kitchen/clean interior of reach in unit to remove stagant water from the floor and debris Locker room observed block with boxes and trash can clean and remove all unnecessary items/clean and organized hot line hoods/clean interior/exterior of exhaust hoods to remove heavy grease build up Kitchen Oberved with stagnant water on the floor the manager stated he's not sure where its coming from/ he call the landlord to have it check

590.004/4-602.13-C

Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)

Inspector notes: Multiple squeeze bottles observed without labels. Provide labels when removed from original containers

590.003/3-302.12-C

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Yellow Hood sticker expired from 8/2023/ Provide updated stickers

590.006/6-501.14-C

Food preparation (c)

Inspector notes: Roast beef Oberved on prep station table at 55F Degree PIC remove to the walking fridge to cool down to 41F or below

590.003/3-305.14-C

Sponges use limitation (c)

Inspector notes: Sponge oberved in three bay sink/ remove all sponges. discontinue use of sponges on food service equipment / surface

590.004/4-101.16-C

Feb 25, 2025

Routine

No violations found.

100

Mar 14, 2024

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)

Inspector notes: Squeeze bottles observed with no label. Provide.

590.003/3-302.12-C

Ventilation hood systems filters (c)

Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired. Schedule cleaning appointment.

590.004/4-202.18-C

(a) certified food protection manager (c)

Inspector notes: Current food protection manager no longer works at location. Sign up for class and ensure someone working at the location is certified.

590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

Mar 15, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

Show all 6 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Potbelly Sandwich Shop last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Potbelly Sandwich Shop on file is from Jan 27, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Potbelly Sandwich Shop?

Across the inspection record, “cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Potbelly Sandwich Shop.

How does Potbelly Sandwich Shop compare to other restaurants in Boston?

Potbelly Sandwich Shop most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Boston average of 86.

Has Potbelly Sandwich Shop's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Potbelly Sandwich Shop have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Potbelly Sandwich Shop means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Potbelly Sandwich Shop inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Potbelly Sandwich Shop is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Score: 100 — Low Risk

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