Potbelly Sandwich Works
Last inspected: Oct 13, 2023
86
Score
The health department has logged 13 inspections at Potbelly Sandwich Works, the earliest from 2010. Inspectors last stopped by on Oct 13, 2023. 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, 2023, so this file may not reflect current conditions.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near three violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code”, showing up six times.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; Potbelly Sandwich Works is comfortably above that bar. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
13
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 13, 2023
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: UNNECESSARY ITEMS / NONFUNCTIONAL EQUIPMENT FOUND IN BASEMENT. THE PREMISES SHALL BE FREE OF ITEMS UNNECESSARY TO THE OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT. THIS INCLUDES EQUIPMENT THAT IS NONFUNCTIONAL OR NO LONGER USED.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION NOT PROVIDED ON SITE. ALL CITY/PENDING CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN A VALID FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION AND PROVIDE ON SITE.
58
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CONTAINERS/BAGS OF FOOD STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. FACILITY MUST ELEVATE ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE GROUND.
39
86
Jun 3, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF STICKY RESIDUE ON GROUND UNDERNEATH BAG-IN-A-BOX DISPENSING SYSTEM LOCATED IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
55
95
Mar 22, 2021
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH COMMON FOOD NAMES WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL PACKAGING.
37
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: MUST INSTAL A WEATHER STRIP ON THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR EXTERIOR DOOR LEADING TO THE GARBAGE DUMPSTER, INSTRUCTEE TO MAINTAIN.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD AT THE HANDWASHING SINK BETWEEN THE SINK AND THE INDUCTION BURNER IN REAR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE ICE ACCUMULATION FROM INSIDE DEEP FREEZER STORED IN BASEMENT, INSTRUCTED TO DEFROST AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR LEAKY KNOB ON 3-COM SINK IN REAR, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
51
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE BURNED OUT LIGHT IN UNISEX TOILET ROOM, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
56
74
Mar 24, 2020
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR SURROUNDING GREASE TRAP IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN FOOD PREP AREA DRAINING SLOW. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEAD INSECTS AND DEBRIS INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS COVERS IN REAR DISHWAHING AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
86
May 9, 2019
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TIME TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (SLICED: ROAST BEEF, SALAMI, TURKEY AND HAM) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES LOCATED IN A COLD HOLDING UNIT DURING THE INSPECTION; TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 47 F- 50 F. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE ALL SAID TCS FOODS AND ALWAYS MAINTAIN ALL COLD HOLDING TCS FOODS AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER DISCARDED ALL SAID TCS FOODS (4LBS), COST OF ALL FOODS $40. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE AND COFFEE BREWER. A BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MUST BE LOCATED, SO THAT IT MAY BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
51
82
Jun 22, 2018
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: Observed 2 door drawer cooler, at salad station, at improper temperature of 48.5f, holding potentially hazardous foods. Unit was tagged during inspection, instructed not to use. Instructed manager to service unit and ensure temperature maintains 40f or less. Contact Cdph for tag removal. Critical violation #7-38-005 (A)
2
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: Observed potentially hazardous food stored at improper temperature in 2 drawer cooler, at salad station: 45.5f, 2lbs of diced grill chicken, at a value of $5.00: dated 6/21/18 46.7f, 2.5lbs of Hummus, at a value of $5.00: dated 6/21/18 45.6f, 1.5lbs of chick peas, $1.00 Manager voluntarily discarded and denatured a total weight of 6lbs at a total value of $11.00 Informed manager that potentially hazardous must be at 40f or lower for cold foods and 140f or more for hot foods at all times. Critical violation # 7-38-005 (A)
3
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Observed standing water and decomposing matter around and under water heater in basement dry storage areas. Instructed manager to detail clean, find source of water, repair and maintain it all times. Observed 1 compartment sink located in dish washing area inoperable. Instructed manager to activate and convert/install exposed hand sink in said area, with hot and cold running water under city pressure.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: Observed inoperable thermometers in 2 cooler units. Instructed manager to manager to provide. Maintain at all times.
40
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: Observed 1 food handler card expired at time of inspection. Instructed manager to meet food handler requirements. Maintain it all times
45
78
May 4, 2017
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FOUND WORN DOWN GROUT IN THE REAR 3-COMP SINK AREA AND UNDER THE SLICER PREP AREA. MUST REGROUT FLOOR AT ABOVE STATED AREA TO PREVENT PEST BREEDING. IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA ON THE SOUTHEAST CORNER FOUND WATER PUDDLE SEAPING UNDER THE WALL COVING. MUST CLEAN,DRY, REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ABOVE STATED AREA.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: FOUND DUST COVERED CEILING PANELS, WATER DAMAGED CEILING PANELS AND DIRTY LIGHT SHIELD COVERS ABOVE THE 3-COMP SINK AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
35
90
Oct 17, 2016
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLAKY MATERIAL AND BROWNISH COLORED STAINS SURROUNDING THE HOT WATER HEATER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOOR.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT THE BACK PREP HALLWAY. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILES AND REPAIR ANY LEAKS.
35
90
Mar 30, 2015
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands washed and cleaned, good hygienic practices; no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
Inspector notes: NOTED EMPLOYEES MOVING FROM ONE PREP AREA WHILE WEARING GLOVES OPENS THE WALK IN COOLER DOOR TO GET FOOD THEN BACK TO THE PREP SERVING LINE; THEN WIPES FOOD CONTAINERS WITH HAND STILL WEARING SAME GLOVES AND THEN PROCEEDS TO PREPARE FOOD AT THE PREP LINE. WHILE STILL ANOTHER EMPLOYEE WALK TO THE BACK PREP AREA, PICKS UP FOOD FROM ANOTHER PREP TABLE AND BACK TO THE SERVICE LINE. ALL WITHOUT WASHING HANDS OR CHANGING GLOVES. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS CHANGE GLOVES AND WASH HANDS AFTER EACH GLOVE CHANGE AND WHEN MOVING FROM ONE PREP AREA TO ANOTHER. CITATION ISSUED FOR CRITICAL VIOLATION #7-38-010(A)
6
Sewage and waste water disposal, no back siphonage, cross connection and/or back flow
Inspector notes: NOTED SEWER BACKING UP WATER ON THE FLOOR AROUND THE SUM PUMP AT THE BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA GENERATING A STRONG AND OFFENSIVE ODOR.MANAGER IMMEDIATELY CALLED FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE(PLUMBER) CITATION ISSUED FOR CRITICAL VIOLATION #7-38-030
10
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: NOTED SOME MOLD ON SHELVES INSIDE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: NOTED A DENT ON WALL AT THE BOTTOM STAIR WAY LEADING TO THE BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
35
82
Oct 8, 2014
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NOTED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY OR CURRENT CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD S ARE PREPARED AND SERVED (CHICKEN,TUNA,SOUPS ETC). INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A FOOD SERVICE MANAGER AND CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED FOR SERIOUS VIOLATION #7-38-012.
21
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED LOOSE RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR OF SERVICE COOLER AT THE FRONT PREP LINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN OR REPLACE.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY AT THE PREP LINE AND BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA AND MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: NOTED STAINED CEILING TILES AND MISSING PANELS AT THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN,REPLACE MISSING PANEL AND/OR REPLACE STAINED TILES AND MAINTAIN.
35
82
Aug 22, 2013
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: GREASE AND DUST BUILD-UP ON CEILING VENT ABOVE TOASTER OVEN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: REFRIGERATION THERMOMETERS TUCKED IN REAR OF PREP COOLERS, INSTRUCTED TO PLACE ALL THERMOMETER IN WARMEST PAR OF COOLER.
40
90
Sep 15, 2010
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
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 FOOD DEBRIS ON SHELVES BEHIND FRONT COUNTER. MUST DETAIL CLEAN ALL UNCLEAN SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING TILES AND VENTILATION COVER ABOVE REAR HANDWASH BOWL. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL UNCLEAN CEILINT TILES/VENTILATION COVER.
35
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. MENS WASHROOM HANDWASH BOWL HOT WATER HANDLE LEAKING AT BASE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SINK.
38
86
May 17, 2010
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 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. Prep coolers door rubber gaskets ripped. Must repair or replace all damaged cooler door gaskets.
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. The following not clean- observed accumilated food debris on prep area shelves and inside prep coolers gaskets. Must clean and maintain all unclean equipment.
33
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. Must detail clean floor under all equipment and along all corners/walls throughout basement.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. Must recaulk slicer prep table to walls (seal all gaps between prep table and walls).
35
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. Must elevate all items 6" off floor throughout basement or remove items to prevent potential pest harborage.
41
78
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, 2023. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Potbelly Sandwich Works?
Across the inspection record, “walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code” has been cited six 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 three 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.
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