Potbelly Sandwich Works
Last inspected: Dec 29, 2025
95
Score
Potbelly Sandwich Works has been inspected 16 times since 2010. On Dec 29, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around two violations each.
The pattern that stands out is “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, which has been cited four times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Potbelly Sandwich Works is doing better than most peers. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
16
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 29, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND WALLS IN POOR REPAIR AT MEN'S RESTROOM.MUST REPAIR.
55
95
Aug 28, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: Mops, brooms and dust pans not stored properly, wet mops sitting in bucket. Instructed to store properly
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Ceiling light fixture missing a shield at main kitchen area, instructed to provide.
56
90
Aug 3, 2023
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. EMPLOYEES WERE PROVIDED HAIR RESTRAINTS DURING THE TIME OF INSPECTION.
40
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE HANDSINK AND TOILET STALL IN THE LOWER LEVEL EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM THAT NEEDS REPAIRED. THE FACILITY HAS TWO ADDITIONAL WORKING STALLS AND HANDSINK TO UTILIZE, ALONG WITH ANOTHER TOILET ROOM UPSTAIRS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING CEILINGS TILE PANELS IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA NEAR THE DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE MISSING PANELS TILES.
55
86
Aug 26, 2022
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: FOUND NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED ON SITE WHILE TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (SLICED TURKEY) IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
90
Oct 5, 2021
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: MISSING THERMPMETER IN PREP COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE IN WARMEST PART OF COOLER.
36
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: STANDING WATER ON FLOOR AT DISH WASHING AREA, INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE AND KEEP DRY AS POSSIBLE.
55
90
Nov 5, 2020
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE WALK-IN COOLER AND WALK-IN FREEZER TO BE SOILED WITH DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE ONE COMPARTMENT SINK TO HAVE A LEAK AND FAUCET TO BE LOOSE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE HAND SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA NEAR THE ASSEMBLY LINE TO HAVE A SLOW DRAINAGE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
51
86
Feb 22, 2019
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIPPER WELL LEAKING IN PREP KITCHEN NEAR COFFEE AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK (FAUCET & KNOBS) LEAKING FAUCET DOES NOT TURN ON AND OFF WITHOUT MIDDLE PRESSURE VALVE ON/ACTIVE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED VENTS AND HOOD THROUGHOUT OUT KITCHEN WITH ACCUMULATION OF GREASE, DUST AND DEBRIS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
90
May 9, 2018
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS NOT CLEAN OF DEBRIS INSIDE FURNACE/ STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: SOME CEILING LIGHT SHIELDS DUSTY IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/MAINTAIN.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: FAUCET LEAKY AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
38
86
Aug 4, 2017
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOOR DRAIN WITH AN ACCUMULATED BLACK SUBSTANCE INSIDE OF THE DRAIN LOCATED UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
34
95
Jul 28, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SIDE ENTRANCE DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED WITH 1/4 INCH GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF SAID DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE SIDE ENTRANCE DOOR RODENT PROOFED AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
18
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOOR DRAIN WITH AN ACCUMULATED BLACK SUBSTANCE INSIDE OF THE DRAIN LOCATED UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN 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 OVEN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
35
86
Aug 12, 2016
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: PREP COOLER BEING USED MAINTAINING IMPROPER AIR TEMPERATURE OF 49.8F. COOLER MUST MAINTAIN 40.0F OR BELOW. COOLER WILL BE TAGED HELD FOR INSPECTION.MUST NOT USE. MUST CONTACT CDPH FOR TAG REMOVAL. MUST USE ADDITIONAL COOLERS ON PREMISES THATS 40F OR BELOW. CRITICAL VIOLATION ISSUED 7-38-005A.
2
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: FOUND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS MAINTAINED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES.APPROX 4LBS OF CHICKEN SALAD AT 61.7F,CHOPPED EGGS AT 50.8F, 18 LBS OF ASSORTED DELI MEATS AT 51.8F,45F.ALSO APPROX 72 LBS OF OVEN ROASTED TURKEY BREAST AT 44.7F,46.4F,44.7F,AND 27 LBS OF HAM AT 45.1F. MUST MAINTAIN COLD FOODS AT 40F OR BELOW.FOODS REMOVED FROM COOLERS AND DISCARDED BY MANAGER APPROX COST 125 LBS/$300.00/-CDI.CRITICAL VIOLATION ISSUED 7-38-005A
3
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR PIPE INSIDE ICE MACHINE SLIGHT BUILD-UP.MUST CLEAN/MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: STORAGE SUPPLY EQIPMENT FOR STORE STORED ON FLOOS IN HEATER CLOSET.MUST PROBALY ELEVATE ON ADEQUATE SHELVING OFF FLOORS AT LEAST 6- INCHES.
34
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: NO ONLINE TRAINING FOOD CERTIFICATES PROVIDED FOR EMPLOYEES.MUST PROVIDE AT NEXT ROUTINE INSPECTION.
45
78
Oct 14, 2015
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands washed and cleaned, good hygienic practices; no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
Inspector notes: NOTED EMPLOYEES NOT PRACTICING GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES:- EMPLOYEES WHILE PREPPING AT THE PREP LINE AND WEARING GLOVES WENT TO THE WALK IN COOLER AND OPENED THE COOLER IN AND OUT WITH GLOVES ON, WENT TO THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AREA AND TOOK SOME EQUIPMENT, THEN CAME BACK TO THE PREP LINE AND CONTINUED PREPPING WITHOUT CHANGING GLOVES AND WITH OUT WASHING HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO CHANGE GLOVES AND WASH HANDS AT ALL TIMES WHEN THEY MOVE FROM ONE AREA TO ANOTHER. CITATION ISSUED FOR CRITICAL VIOLATION #7-38-010
6
Water source: safe, hot & cold under city pressure
Inspector notes: NOTED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT ALL HAND WASH SINKS OF ESTABLISHMENT FOLLOWING THE CITY CODE:- WATER TEMPERATURES AT ALL SINKS WERE AS FOLLOWS:- HAND WASH SINK BY DRIVERS ASSEMBLE ROOM 81.2F, PREP AREA 82.4F, HAND WASH SINK AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK 82.2F AND HAND WASH SINK AT THE EMPLOYEE BREAK ROOM 79.8F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY CALLED ENGINEER FOR MAINTENANCE. CITATION ISSUED FOR CRITICAL VIOLATION #7-38-030
9
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED THORN RUBBER GASKET AT DOOR OF WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: NOTED DUSTY CEILING AND WALLS THROUGH OUT PREMISES. ALSO NOTED STAINED CEILING TILES INSIDE THE BATHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN DUSTY CEILINGS AND WALL, REPAINT TILES AND/OR REPLACE BATHROOM CEILING TILES.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: NOTED BROKEN LIGHT SHIELD AT THE EMPLOYEE BREAK AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
36
78
Aug 1, 2014
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOORS IN PREP AREAS.
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: REMOVE CLUTTER AT REAR EXIT DOOR IN THE FORM OF CARDBOARD BOXES TO PREVENT HARBORAGE.
41
90
Aug 9, 2013
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN THE WALK IN COOLER AND FREEZER ALONG THE WALL BASE TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS. ALSO CLEAN FLOORS IN PREP AREAS.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED A LEAK AT THE U JOINT UNDERNEATH THE REAR HAND SINK. ALSO LEAK AT THE FAUCET AT THE 3 COMP SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
38
90
Jan 6, 2011
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. OBSERVED CARDBOARD BOXES ON FLOOR ALONG WALL AT DRY STORAGE. MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF FLOOR.
32
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. OBSERVED DEBRIS BUILD UP INSIDE REACH IN COOLERS DOOR RUBBER GASKETS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN COOLER GASKETS.
33
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. 1-COMPARTMENT SINK AND HANDWASH BOWL IN POOR REPAIR (BOTH LOCATED BY 3-COMPARTMENT SINK). MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SINKS.
38
86
Apr 6, 2010
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Potbelly Sandwich Works last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Potbelly Sandwich Works on file is from Dec 29, 2025. The public record contains 16 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Potbelly Sandwich Works?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Potbelly Sandwich Works.
Has Potbelly Sandwich Works' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Potbelly Sandwich Works have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent 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.
How often is Potbelly Sandwich Works inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Potbelly Sandwich Works is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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