Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Last inspected: Aug 6, 2025
82
Score
Potbelly Sandwich Shop has been inspected 12 times since 2016. On Aug 6, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around four violations per visit versus roughly one violation earlier in the record.
When inspectors have written things up, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
Potbelly Sandwich Shop scores about where you'd expect for a Chicago restaurant. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
12
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 6, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INADEQUATE WASTE WATER DISPOSAL AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. WHEN WATER IS DRAINED FROM 1 COMPARTMENT IT BACKS UP INTO ANOTHER COMPARTMENT IN ADDITION TO LEAKING HEAVILY FROM THE TOP OF THE GREASE TRAP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND GREASE TRAP. TECHNICIAN REPAIRED GREASE TRAP. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
52
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
55
82
May 30, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IN DISHROOM VENT AND IS EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DUST, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED REACH IN COOLERS IN REAR PREP AND DISHROOM MISSING COMPRESSOR COVER, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IN DISHROOM FLOOR, WALLS, AND CEILING TILES WITH EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FOOD DEBRIS, AND DUST INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED ALL REACH IN COOLERS ENCRUSTED IN FOOD DEBRIS, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
82
Oct 4, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 25 LBS OF SLICED TURKEY STORED INSIDE COLD HOLD UNIT AND 2 DOOR COOLER IN PREP AREA AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. NOTED TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 45.0F-55.0F. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD ALL COLD TCS FOODS AT 41F AND BELOW AND MAINTAIN. PERSON IN CHARGE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED SAID FOOD ITEMS DURING THIS TIME. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Proper hot holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 2.5 LBS OF COOKED MEATBALLS STORED INSIDE HOT HOLD UNIT AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. NOTED TEMP @ 122.0F. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD ALL HOT TCS FOODS @135F AND HIGHER AND MAINTAIN. SAID FOOD DISCARDED DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-005.PLEASE SEE VIOLATION #22 FOR CITATION.
21
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER POUR PICKLE JUICE IN HANDSINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO NOT USE HANDSINK FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE BUT HANDWASHING AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-030 (C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
40
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF FOOD SPILLAGE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SURFACES OF COOLING UNITS, HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND STORAGE RACKS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOORS WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS IN CAFE STORAGE ROOM THROUGHOUT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1 OF 3 ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR REVIEW. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
58
55
Nov 28, 2022
Complaint
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Hands clean & properly washed
Inspector notes: Poor hygienic practices, Observed a food handler handling cash register and then preparing ready-to-eat foods without washing hands. Instructed manager to have all food handlers wash hands when required. Priority violation 7-38-010.
8
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: Hair nets not worn properly, long hair braids singing close to open food items. instructed to contain hair.
40
82
Feb 8, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: THERMOMETER PUSH TO THE BACK OF COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP IN WARMEST PART WHERE IT IS EASY TO VIEW.
36
95
Feb 22, 2021
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jul 28, 2020
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Jun 12, 2020
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Nov 26, 2019
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA WITH DEEP GROOVES AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH CLEANABLE CUTTING SURFACES.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GASKETS ON COOLER DRAWERS NEAR ORDERING AREA WITH BROWN AND BLACK DIRT AND GRIME. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN CLEAN GASKETS.
47
90
Jun 13, 2018
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GASKET TO THE RIGHT DOOR OF THE 2-DOOR COOLER IN POOR CONDITION. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
34
90
Jun 16, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: PREP AREA NOT PROTECTED BY GATES OR COOLERS LOCKED AFTER CLOSING. FACILITY IN THE ATRIUM OF A HOSPITAL ENTRANCE.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: HAND SINK IN DISH WASHING AREA NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLERS WITH BEARD NOT WEARING BEARD RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR.
42
86
Nov 9, 2016
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Potbelly Sandwich Shop last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Potbelly Sandwich Shop on file is from Aug 6, 2025. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Potbelly Sandwich Shop?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Potbelly Sandwich Shop.
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 roughly once per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants