Potbelly Sandwich Shop

222 W Merchandise Mart Plz, Chicago, IL 60654
American
Last inspected: Jun 11, 2025
82
Score
Low Risk

Across the available record, Potbelly Sandwich Shop has three inspections on file, the first dated 2023. Inspectors last stopped by on Jun 11, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around four violations per visit versus roughly two violations earlier in the record.

Looking across the full record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.

That falls roughly in the middle of the pack for Chicago restaurants. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.

3
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jun 11, 2025
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOME STAINED CUTTING BOARDS ON TOP OF THE PREP LINE COOLERS AT FRONT FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE PREP LINE COOLER#1.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE BUILD-UP ON THE KNOZZLES AT THE FOUNTAIN DRINK STATION AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEATH THE LEFT COMPARTMENT OF THE DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.
51
82
Jun 12, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES (INTERIOR CAVITY) OF LINE COOLER (NEAR COOKIE OVEN) TO BE SOILED WITH FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.
49
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INTERNAL AIR THERMOMETER IN CENTRAL LINE COOLER TO BE IN POOR REPAIR AND NON-FUNCTIONING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER AND MAINTAIN FUNCTIONAL THERMOMETER IN ALL COLD-HOLDING EQUIPMENT.
36
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PLASTIC EXTENDABLE HOSE ON INTERIOR OF LINE COOLER (NEAR COOKIE OVEN) TO BE SOILED WITH UNNECESSARY CREVICES AND NOT EASILY CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE OR REPLACE PLASTIC EXTENDABLE HOSE IN COOLER WITH MODEL THAT IS EASILY-CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOORS BENEATH SHELVES AND EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR HALLWAY TO BE SOILED WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS BENEATH EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.
55
82
Sep 21, 2023
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 Jun 11, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Potbelly Sandwich Shop?

Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited three 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 two 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.