Potbelly Sandwich Works
Last inspected: Oct 13, 2022
100
Score
Inspectors have visited Potbelly Sandwich Works 19 times, with records going back to 2010. On Oct 13, 2022, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings. Public records show no inspections at Potbelly Sandwich Works since Oct 13, 2022, so this file may not reflect current conditions.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around one violation across recent inspections versus roughly three violations before.
“Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” comes up most often, recorded six times in the inspection record.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Potbelly Sandwich Works is doing better than most peers. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
19
Inspections
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Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 13, 2022
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Aug 19, 2022
Reinspection
No violations found.
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Aug 11, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED.OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION. REPORT#2545907 DATED 12-22-2021 INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO COMPLY WITH FOOD ALLERGEN REQUIREMENTS BY 3-22-2022. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED
60
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HEAVY ICE BUILD UP IN ICE CREAM CHEST. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DEFROST
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Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A SLOW DRAINING AT THE FRONT HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.
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82
Dec 22, 2021
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: FACILITY DID NOT PROVIDE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE FOR EMPLOYEES WORKING ON SITE. INFORMED OWNER THAT ONCE OPENED, A CERTIFIED MANAGER WITH A CURRENT CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES WHEN TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS (DELI MEAT) ARE BEING PREPARED, HANDLED AND/OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSONS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH COMPLETION OF TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION.
58
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CONTAINERS OF ICE CREAM STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST 6 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.
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Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A SLOW DRAINING AT THE FRONT HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
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Dec 24, 2020
Routine
No violations found.
100
Mar 26, 2020
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP PROCEDURE MUST BE DOCUMENTED AND THE NECESSARY SUPPLES ON HAND IN THE EVENT OF A VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENT ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
5
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE EXTERIOR SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT: OVEN AND REFRIGERATION UNITS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND VARIOUS KITCHEN EQUIPMENT AND INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER UNDER SHELVES.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: THE VENT ABOVE THE OVEN IN THE PREP AREA NEEDS CLEANING; CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
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74
Mar 18, 2019
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO VOMITOUS AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENT CLEAN UP POLICY IN PLACE AND KIT (GLOVES, FACE MASKS, DISPOSABLE MOPS, SANITIZER) ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF FOOD DEBRIS ON TOUCH POINT AREAS, OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF REACH IN COOLERS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
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Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MOPS IN FACILITY SITTING IN CORNER OF UTILITY SINK WET. MUST PROPERLY STORE MOP FOR DRYING TO STORE MOP HEAD UP FOR DRYING MINIMIZE PEST HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12 OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF FOOD DEBRIS UNDER EQUIPMENT ON FLOORS AND IN CORNERS OF FACILITY. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
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Apr 11, 2018
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOORS THRU OUT FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS UNDER SHELVES, UNDER REFRIGERATION UNITS, AND UNDER THE SODA BOXES LOCATED IN THE CUSTOMER DINING AREA UNDER THE SODA MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS AND MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DUST ON THE VENT LOCATED ABOVE THE TOASTER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED WOMEN'S WASHROOM VENT NOT WORKING. OBSERVED WALL IN DISREPAIR LOCATED AT THE VENT BY THE UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR ALL AND MAINTAIN.
35
90
May 5, 2017
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE CREAM FREEZER WITH ICE BUILD UP AND THE CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP GROOVES AND STAINS IN THE FRONT FOOD PREPARATION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE BUILD UP AND SAND OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: THE COOKING EQUIPMENT INTERIOR/EXTERIOR SURFACES HAS BURNED FOOD AND DIRT ON IT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: THE INTERIOR OF THE FLOOR DRAINS, FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER/FREEZER ANAD UNDER/AROUND THE COOKING/COOLING EQUIPMENT HAS DIRT AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: THE WALLS AROUND THE COOLERS/COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SINKS HAS FOOD SPLATTER, DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS THROUGH OUT.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: THERE IS NO LIGHT SHIELD FOR THE LIGHT INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
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78
Oct 13, 2016
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR SURFACES OF DRAWER COOLERS NOT CLEAN INSIDE, FOOD DEBRIS NOTED ALONG DOOR TRIMS, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ANDMAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: WALK-IN COOLER FLOOR METAL PLATES IN POOR REPAIR, INSTRUCTED TO MOUNT PROPERLY TO PREVENT FOOD DEPOSITS
34
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: LIGHT FIXTURE IN WALK-IN COOLER NOT SHIELDED, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
36
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.
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82
Apr 12, 2016
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: WALK-IN COOLER FLOOR METAL PLATES IN POOR REPAIR, INSTRUCTED TO MOUNT PROPERLY TO PREVENT FOOD DEPOSITS
34
95
Jul 10, 2015
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOOR AROUND THE MOP SINK WITH WET DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOOR AROUND THE MOP SINK.
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A WET MOP STORED ON THE FLOOR NEXT TO THE MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL WET MOPS HANGING OR INVERTED.
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90
Dec 19, 2014
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO PERSON ON SITE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS. IE...EGGS, DELI MEAT, SOUPS ETC. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ON SITE TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE AND PERSON AT ALL TIMES WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS.
21
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN ALL REACH IN COOLERS TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. SODA NOZZLES IN NED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS IN CORNERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP UNDER AND AROUND ALL EQUIPMENT. CLEAN IN GARBAGE CONTAINER STORAGE UNITS. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
34
86
May 9, 2014
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: NEW CUTTING BOARDS NEEDED IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
31
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF REACH IN COOLERS, RUBBER GASKETS, SODA DISPENSORS AND PREP TABLES IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS THROUGH OUT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP ALONG BASEBOARDS AND UNDER EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
34
86
Dec 18, 2013
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST SAND OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES. MUST MAINTAIN.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS BEHIND THE GREASE TRAP, IN THE SIDE HALLWAY STORAGE AREA AND AROUND THE COOLERS/COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT PREP AREA.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FILTERS IN THE VENTILATION HOOD. REMOVE DIRT/DUST BUILD UP.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST FIX AND MAINTAIN THE LEAK AT THE HOT WATER KNOB ON THE 3-COMP. SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA.
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82
Mar 11, 2013
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP DARK GROOVES IN THEM IN FRONT/REAR PREP AREA.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SHELVES INSIDE CABINETS IN FRONT PREP AREA.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR OF ALL FLOOR DRAINS AND CLEAN FLOORS UNDER/AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT.
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST ORGANIZE AREA IN REAR/SIDE BY EXIT DOOR-ELIMINATE CLUTTER.
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82
May 31, 2012
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: FOUND CONTAINERS NOT STORED PROPERLY.(MUST STORE INVERTED)
31
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: FOUND CLUTTER STORED ON SHELVING UNITS.(TOOLS, APRONS,ETC.)
41
90
Jan 14, 2011
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served. NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATED POSTED ON PREMISES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (DELI MEATS, EGG, SAUSAGE) ARE HANDLED. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE CERTIFICATE POSTED ON PREMISES. TICKET #000063465 17.
21
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. OBSEVED FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE PREP COOLERS/AT CORNERS OF COOLER DOORS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL UNCLEAN EQUIPMENT.
33
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. WALK IN FREEZER LIGHT BURNT OUT. MUST REPLACE LIGHT BULB.
36
86
Jan 26, 2010
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. Found floors not swept at rear preparation areas.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. Found mop sink at rear of premises not clean. Management instructed to wash/flush sink to prevent fly harborage.
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90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Potbelly Sandwich Works last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Potbelly Sandwich Works on file is from Oct 13, 2022. The public record contains 19 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Potbelly Sandwich Works?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Potbelly Sandwich Works.
Has Potbelly Sandwich Works' inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Potbelly Sandwich Works have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Potbelly Sandwich Works means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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