Potbelly Sandwich Works
Last inspected: Mar 31, 2021
100
Score
The health department has logged 14 inspections at Potbelly Sandwich Works, the earliest from 2010. The most recent visit was on Mar 31, 2021. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues. The most recent inspection at Potbelly Sandwich Works is from Mar 31, 2021, and nothing newer appears in the public record.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near two violations per visit.
“Proper cooling methods used” comes up most often, recorded six times in the inspection record.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; Potbelly Sandwich Works is comfortably above that bar. The record reflects steady performance over time.
14
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 31, 2021
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jan 28, 2020
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: refrigeration thermometer stored in rear section of cooler, instructed to keep in warmest part.
36
95
Feb 14, 2019
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CLEAN UP KIT MISSING A PROTECTION MASK. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#:7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT PREP AND DISHWASHING AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE REAR PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
55
86
Jul 24, 2018
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE- OPENED MAYONNAISE HELD BETWEEN 67.2 F AND 68.6 F, CHICKEN SALAD HELD AT 47.0 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL TIME/TEMPERATURE FOR SAFETY FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41.0 F OR BELOW IF HELD COLD. ALL OUT OF TEMPERATURE TCS FOODS HAVE BEEN VOLUNTARILLY DISCARDED AT THIS TIME. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: FOUND BACK UP REACH IN COOLER AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE HELD AT 50.0 F AND DRESS 1 STATION REACH IN COOLER AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE AT 51.0 F, FOUND CHICKEN SALAD AND OPENED CONTAINERS OF MAYONNAISE HELD INSIDE COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER REACH IN COOLERS AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE MUST BE 41.0 F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
33
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE WITH BIOHAZARD CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST HAVE A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANNING PROCEDURE WITH BIOHAZARD CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: DISHWASH AREA HANDWASH BOWL FAUCET LEAKING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SINK.
47
64
Mar 24, 2017
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: FLY TRAP INSTALLED IN KITCHEN AREA WALL CLOSE TO FOOD ITEMS, INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE TO OUT OF PREP AREA.
41
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FOOD DEBRIS NOTED BEHIND GREASE TRAP, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
34
90
Apr 13, 2016
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOORS OF THE WALK-IN COOLER TO REMOVE LIQUID SPILLAGE-MAINTAIN.
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNECCESSARY ITEMS FROM THE MOP SINK IN THE REAR AND MAINTAIN.
41
90
Jan 15, 2015
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN INTERIOR BOTTOM OF REFRIGERATION UNITS AT FRONT AND WHERE NECESSARY.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOORS IN PREP AREA, REAR AND WALK-IN COOLER OF FOOD SPILLS.
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: REMOVE CLUTTER IN THE FORM OF BOXES AT EXTERIOR OF REAR DOOR.
41
86
Jun 6, 2014
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD IN THE BACK PREP AREA WITH DEEP DARK GROOVES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE NEW CUTTING BOARDS.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CEILING VENTS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA WITH ACCUMULATED DUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CEILING VENTS.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BLOWN LIGHT BULBS OVER THE WALK IN COOLER DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING.
36
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FRONT PREP COOLER WITHOUT A THERMOMETER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN THERMOMETERS FOR ALL REFRIGERATION.
40
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET MOPS SITTING BY THE MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO HAND OR INVERT WET MOPS TO PREVENT PEST ACTIVITY.
41
78
Sep 13, 2013
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN THE EXTERIOR OF THE GREASE TRAP UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: REPAIR THE WALL OPENING IN THE DRYWALL WALL IN THE STORAGE ROOM BEHIND THE CHEST FREEZER.
35
90
Nov 30, 2012
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MEAT SLICER BLADE HOUSING NOT CLEAN, FOOD DEBRIS STUCK ON SURFACES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAITNAIN.
33
95
Dec 19, 2011
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Dec 12, 2011
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: (7-38-020) PEST ACTIVITY NOTED ON PREMISES. FOUND OVER 20-SMALL/FRUIT FLIES HOVERING ON A MOP HEAD AT MOP SINK, 10-ON WALLS AROUND MOP SINK, 6-ON A WALL POSTER BY REAR DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE SOURCE & CLEAN ALL AREAS AFFECTED BY PESTS. All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines.
18
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR FLOORS OF COOLERS & GASKETS OF COOLER DOORS MUST BE FREE OF FOOD DEBRIS/SPILLS/STAINS. All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: WALK-IN COOLER FLOOR IS BUCKLING-UP & THE SEAMS BETWEEN METAL PLATES ARE OPEN-MUST SEAL/REPAIR, TO MAKE SMOOTH/EASILY CLEANABLE. FLOORS BEHIND & UNDER EQUIPMENT AT FRONT PREP MUST BE FREE OF FOOD/DEBRIS. The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: ALL WALLS AFFECTED BY PEST ACTIVITY MUST BE CLEANED/SANITIZED. The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.
35
82
Feb 14, 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. ALL CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP GROOVES MUST BE SANDED/BLEACHED.
32
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. FLOORS AROUND CORNERS OF WALK-IN COOLER MUST BE KEPT CLEAN.
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. MUST FIX THE WATER LINE AT THE 1-COMP SINK BY THE ICE CREAM AREA.
38
86
Aug 3, 2010
Routine
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. All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. CLEAN ALL EXTERIOR OF REACH-IN COOLERS, PREP TABLES, TOASTER OVEN TO REMOVE BUILD-UP OF FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
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. FLLORS THROUGHOUT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS AND BUILD-UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. 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. MUST CLEAN ALL DRAINS TO REMOVE ALL BUILD-UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
38
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Potbelly Sandwich Works last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Potbelly Sandwich Works on file is from Mar 31, 2021. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Potbelly Sandwich Works?
Across the inspection record, “proper cooling methods used” 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 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.
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