Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Last inspected: Jul 28, 2025
70
Score
Across the available record, Potbelly Sandwich Shop has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2020. The most recent report on file is from Jul 28, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near two violations each time.
The pattern that stands out is “allergen training as required”, which has been cited three times.
That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 28, 2025
Complaint
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Proper hot holding temperatures
Inspector notes: Found 5 lbs of cooked beef meatballs held in a steam table at 54.3�F; the steam table was not turned on. Instructed to hold Hot TCS foods at 135�F or higher. Priority violation 7-38-005. Item discarded valued at $20.
21
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: No certified food service manager on site while handling and serving TCS foods ( deli meat, meat balls, etc.), instructed to obtain. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012.
2
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: Food handler not wearing hair restraints, Instructed to wear.
40
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: Standing water pooling on floor under front prep kitchen hand wash sink, Instructed to minimize standing water to prevent insects breading site.
55
70
Feb 13, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Mar 14, 2024
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED 2 CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITHOUT A VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE A VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.
58
95
Mar 7, 2024
Complaint
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROX. 15 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS ON THE WALLS AND BOXES OF STOCK IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS, DINING ROOM AND SANDWICH PICKUP AREA. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE SANDWICH PREP COOLER NEXT TO THE CONVEYOR OVEN AND THE PREP COOLER ACROSS FROM THE OVEN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE WALLS WITH FOOD DEBRIS ON THEM AROUND THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 2 CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITHOUT A VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE A VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.
58
78
Oct 2, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE INSIDE UNISEX TOILET ROOM LOCATED CLOSER TO REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
95
Mar 2, 2022
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Feb 23, 2022
Routine
4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (SOUP, SANDWICHES) ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NO HAND DRYING PROVISION AT FRONT PREP HANDWASHING SINK OR UNISEX WASHROOM #1. ALL HANDWASHING SINKS MUST BE SUPPLIED WITH HOT WATER, SOAP AND HAND DRYING DEVICE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: NO UPDATED PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE DURIN TIME OF INSPECTION. OBSERVED MOST RECENT PEST CONTROL REPORT DATED 02/08/2021. MUST PROVIDE LOGBOOK WITH MOST RECENT SERVICE AND STATE LICENSE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-020(C). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (SOUP, SANDWICHES) ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION.
1
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO CERTIFIED FOD MANAGER ON SITE. NO ALLERGEN TRAINING. ALL CERTIFIED ANAGERS MUST OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
64
Aug 11, 2021
Routine
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE OR CLEANING MATERIALS TO CLEAN UP SAID INCIDENT ON SITE. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE PROCEDURES AND CLEANING MATERIALS (GLOVES, MASK, DISPOSABLE MOP, DISINFECTANT RATED FOR NOROVIRUS) FOR EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW AND USE WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.
5
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT TIME/ TEMEPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (TCS): TUNA, VARIETY OF SLICED MEATS HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITHOUT DISCARD DATE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATE FOR ANY READY-TO-EAT TCS FOODS HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
23
82
Jan 14, 2020
License
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010
3
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATION ON SITE FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
57
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Potbelly Sandwich Shop last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Potbelly Sandwich Shop on file is from Jul 28, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Potbelly Sandwich Shop?
Across the inspection record, “allergen training as required” has been cited three 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 two 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 around two times per year on average.
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