Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Last inspected: Feb 3, 2025
70
Score
Potbelly Sandwich Shop has been inspected 15 times since 2014. Potbelly Sandwich Shop was last inspected on Feb 3, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around three violations each.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “thermometers provided & accurate”, showing up six times.
The city-wide average sits at 81, which Potbelly Sandwich Shop's 70 doesn't quite reach. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
15
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 3, 2025
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: DRY FOOD IN PLASTIC CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH COMMON NAME:FLOUR,SUGAR ETC.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: SOME CUTTING BOARDS IN THE KITCHEN WITH DARK STAINS AND DEEP CUTS,MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE SAID CUTTING BOARDS
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: EXCESS STICKY SUBSTANCE AT SELF SERVE SODA MACHINE BY THE NOZZLES.CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: REPAIR BROKED BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT FAUCET OF MOP SINK.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: REMOVE SYRUP FROM FLOOR INSIDE THE CABINET OF ICE MACHINE AND SODE DISPENSER IN SERVING AREA.CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: BROKEN PROTECTIVE LIGHT SHIELD AT REAR PREP AREA BY THE DOOR IN PREP AREA.REPLACE.
56
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE COMPARTMENTS NOT CLEAN (INTERIOR TOP). ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN UNIT.
16
70
May 2, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS, LOOSE CARBROARD, AND EMPTY BOXES BENEATH SHELVES IN THE REAR FOOD STORAGE SHELF AS WELL AS UNDER THE STANDING TWO DOOR COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA FREE OF DEBRIS.
55
95
Mar 30, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SMALL REACH IN COOLERS WITHOUT THERMOMETERS INSIDE ON COOKING LINE. MAKE SURE ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS HAVE INTERAL THERMOMETERS AT ALL TIMES.
36
95
Sep 2, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER IS NOT PRESENT ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED (TURKEY DELI MEATS) AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. A PERSON THAT HOLDS A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES DURING HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: A SIGN OR POSTER NOTIFYING FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH THEIR HANDS IS NOT PROVIDED AT GENDER RESTROOMS, AND HANDWASHING SINKS ARE USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES. PROVIDE A VISIBLE HANDWASHING SIGN AT EACH HAND SINK.-- PROVIDED HAND WASHING SIGN ON SITE.
10
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: THERMOMETERS ARE NOT PROVIDED IN PREP-LINE COOLERS NEAR THE FRONT DESSERT AREA. COLD/HOT HOLDING EQUIPMENT USED FOR TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY SHALL HAVE AT LEAST ONE THERMOMETER IN AN EASILY VIEWED LOCATION.
36
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: ALL GENDER RESTROOM LACKS A COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR THE DISPOSAL OF FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS. PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE RESTROOM.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CEILING TILES NEAR VENT IN THE BACK PREPARATION/STORAGE AREA ARE SOILED WITH DEBRIS. THE FACILITY MUST BE CLEAN AND MAINTAINED.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: THE PERSON THAT HOLDS THE CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE DOES NOT HAVE A FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE. ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HOLD A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE ON SITE MUST OBTAIN A VALID ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE.
58
70
Feb 24, 2021
Routine
No violations found.
100
Feb 4, 2020
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE PROPER, RAISED SHELVING TO STORE FOOD CONTAINERS 6" OFF FLOOR
39
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOOR DRAIN AT THE REAR BY THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
55
90
Feb 28, 2019
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: NOTED MINERAL BUILD-UP AT GRAY PANEL OF ICE MACHINE(SELF SERVE)IN DINING AREA,CLEAN,SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN
16
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: LABEL FOOD BOTTLES(WHITE DRESSING) WITH COMMON NAME,ONCE IS REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL CONTAINERS -
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MILK/BREAD CRATES USED FOR SHELVES REMOVE AND PROVIDE RAISED SHELVES FOR HOUSEKEEPING PURPOSE
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS IN REAR PREP AREA,INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE SAID CUTTING BOARDS.
47
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: INSIDE REFUSAL STORAGE NOT MAINTAIN,EXCESS DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND GARBAGE/RECYCLE CONTAINERS:PAPERS,GLOVES,FOOD ETC,MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED REAR HALLWAY LEADING TO GARBAGE ROOM WITH CLUTTER(BROWN BAGS FILLED WITH PAPER,BOXES,SODA BOXES, ETC. REMOVE ANY UNNECESSARY ITEMS AND STORE ALL REMAINING ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR TO PREVENT INSECT AND RODENT HARBORAGE.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: PROTECTIVE SHIELDS IN REAR PREP ROOM WITH BLACK DUST ACCUMULATION. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN .
56
70
May 4, 2018
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURNT OUT BULB ABOVE HOOD. REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
36
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THERMOMETER MISSING FROM SMALL REFRIGERATOR ACCROSS FROM CONVEYER OVEN. REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
40
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED REAR HALLWAY LEADING TO GARBAGE ROOM WITH CLUTTER. REMOVE ANY UNECESSARY ITEMS AND STORE ALL REMAINING ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR AND 6 INCHES AWAY FROM WALL TO PREVENT INSECT AND RODENT HARBORAGE.
41
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DOOR BROKEN TO SEPARATE PATRONS AREA FROM FOOD PREPARATION AREA. REPLACE DOOR TO FOOD PREPARATION AREA AND MAINTAIN.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CEILING VENTS AND LIGHT SHEILDS IN REAR PREP ROOM WITH BLACK DUST ACCUMULATION. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CEILING, VENTS, AND LIGHTS.
35
78
Nov 14, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: SODA NOZZLES AT SODA DISPENSER STICKEY.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE NOZZLES REGULARLY.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: NOTED FLOOR UNDER SODA DISPENSER CABINET DIRTY.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED INTERIOR OF HOOD OVER SANDWICH CONVEYOR OVEN GREASY AND DUSTY.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOT HOOD.
38
86
May 26, 2017
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: NOTED HOTEL PANS NOT PROERLY STORED(INVERTED) AFTER SANITIZING.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT ON HOW TO PROPERLY STORE MULTI-USE UTENSILS AFTER SANITIZING.
31
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: NOTED ICE CREAM FREEZER WITH ICE CREAM ON BOTTOM OF FREEZER.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CLEAN ICE CREAM FREEZER.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: NOTED CEILING PANELS DIRTY AT REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CLEAN.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED EXPOSED HANDSINK AT FRONT LINE SLOW DRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR.
38
82
Jan 19, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: NOTED FOOD PARTICULATES ON TOASTER OVEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CLEAN.
33
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: NOTED BURNT OUT LIGHT UNDER HOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPLACE.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MENS AND WOMENS RESTROOMS VENTILATION NOT FUNCTIONING. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR. NOTED NO GREASE TRAP UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK .INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO INSTALL OR PROVIDE A LOCATION OF WHERE IT IS BY THE NEXT INSPECTION.
38
86
Mar 21, 2016
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUST ON THE BOTTOM TRAY OF THE SODA MACHINE IN THE DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRTY FLOORS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
34
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT UNDER THE HOOD, AND UNKNOWN DEBRIS IN THE LIGHT SHEILDS IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL WORKING LIGHT AND CLEAN SHEILDS AND MAINTAIN.
36
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTER IN REAR, AROUND HOT WATER TANK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.
41
82
Jul 2, 2015
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE WITH A MINIMUM PINK MINERAL BUILD-UP,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
33
95
Nov 12, 2014
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Nov 10, 2014
License
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: FOUND NO SNEEZE GUARDS INSTALLED AT STATION WHERE CLEAN SALAD BOWLS ARE STORED. SERIOUS VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
16
Outside garbage waste grease and storage area; clean, rodent proof, all containers covered
Inspector notes: FOUND OUTSIDE DUMPSTER AREAS NOT CLEAN. OVERFLOWING GARBAGE. SERIOUS VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
19
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: FOUND GLASS LIGHT FIXTURE ABOVE FOOD PREPARATION AREAS.
36
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Potbelly Sandwich Shop last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Potbelly Sandwich Shop on file is from Feb 3, 2025. The public record contains 15 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Potbelly Sandwich Shop?
Across the inspection record, “thermometers provided & accurate” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Potbelly Sandwich Shop.
Has Potbelly Sandwich Shop's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Potbelly Sandwich Shop have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Potbelly Sandwich Shop means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Potbelly Sandwich Shop inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Potbelly Sandwich Shop is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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