Potbelly Sandwich Shop

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Feb 20, 2026 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   No violations

2. Feb 10, 2025 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   3 general Show violations

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Some prep area sandwich prep coolers missing thermometers. Instructed manager must provide working thermometers for all coolers.

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Some prep area sandwich reach in coolers door rubber gaskets not tight fitted. Instructed manager coolers rubber door gaskets must be tight fitted.

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated dust build up on prep area reach in coolers condensers. Must clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

3. Feb 9, 2024 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   1 critical5 general Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Handwashing signage is required at handwashing sink by the 4 compartment sink

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

     Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Employee must wear effectiveness hair restraint.instructed to provide.

     Official wording (code 40)

     Personal cleanliness

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Must not use milk crates as a means of elevation for stored items.

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Exterior of ice machine at self serve area with excess mineral build up, between top part and ice bin dispenser,clean and maintain

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Debris on floor drain under the four compartment sink and on floor inside the cabinet of the self serve ice machine. Clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Broken with black substance caulking between the wall and handwashing sink remove and replace with a smooth and easily cleanable surface

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

4. Jan 17, 2023 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   3 general Show violations

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

     Inspector’s note: Found bulk food containers not labeled.(oregano,etc.)must label.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralFood handling

     Clean utensils, equipment, or linens weren’t stored and handled properly.

     Inspector’s note: Found food containers not stored properly on drying racks.must store inverted.

     Official wording (code 44)

     Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

     Inspector’s note: Found trash can with no cover at 1 of 2 unisex restrooms.must provide.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

5. Mar 30, 2022 Conditional

   Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 critical2 general Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide handwashing signage at handsink inside customer (left side) washroom.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide thermometer visible inside all coolers including walk-in cooler.

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralRepeat violation

     A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

     Inspector’s note: Previous core violation not corrected from inspection report# 2473134 issued on 01-26-2021 priority foundation violation 7-42-090 citation issued #58 - observed allergen training incomplete. Must provide allergen training for all employees who obtain the city of chicago food manager certificate.

     Official wording (code 60)

     Previous core violation corrected

6. Jan 26, 2021 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   1 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed card board boxes stored in rear prep area. Must remove.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Observed allergen training incomplete. Must provide allergen training for all employees who obtain the city of chicago food manager certificate.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

7. Jan 3, 2020 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   1 general Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: - observed on accumulation of dirt/debris on some of the wall and ceiling attachments (hanging signs, picture frames, etc.) in the facility. Must detail clean all wall and ceiling attachments, and maintain. -

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

8. Jan 17, 2019 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   3 critical5 general2 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

     Inspector’s note: No person or employee health policy in place. Instructed manager to provide documentation that all food employees are informed of their responsibility to report any disease transmissible through food. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012 (a) no citation

     Official wording (code 3)

     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

   • CriticalManagement & training

     No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no clean-up policy procedure for vomiting and diarrhea.must provide and maintain.(priority foundation 7-38.005 no citation issued)

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Prepared food wasn’t date-marked, or was kept past its discard date.

     Inspector’s note: OBSERVED THAT TCS FOOD STORED IN COOLER UNITS LONGER THAN 24 HOURS TO BE MARKED BY PRODUCTION DATE.MUST MARKED WITH COMMON FOOD NAME AND USE BY DATE .PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED - Edit

     Official wording (code 23)

     Proper date marking and disposition

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Noted no thermometers inside refrigeration unit conspicuously posted to monitor the ambient temperature of equipment. Instructed to equip all refrigeration units with accurate and working thermometers

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed build up of food debris and dirt inside cabinet under soda machine, shelving under foo tables, on top of equipment. Must clean and maintain clean

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Backflow prevention devices not located at ice machine. Must install so backflow prevention devices may be located to be serviced and maintained.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Must clean food debris and dirt around walls , under equipment, storage shelving under three compartment sink.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Must repair and clean fans and vents in both restrooms.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Idph food handlers requirements are not met for employees.must enroll and maintain.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Noted certified food managers on duty with no allergen training certification. Instructed management that all food service managers are required to have the allergen training certification.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

9. Jan 23, 2018 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   2 general Show violations

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

     Inspector’s note: Interior of the tall reach-in freezer with dirt and food debris. Must clean and maintain.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

     Inspector’s note: Blackened, moldy wall caulking at the four compartment sink. Must replace.

10. Jan 16, 2018 Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    6 general Show violations

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090

      Inspector’s note: Previous minor violation from #2065069 on 6-27-17 not corrected. #34- instructed to clean and maintain the floor drain underneath the 4 compartment sink and maintain. Serious violation 7-42-090.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Interior and exterior of the tall reach-in freezer with dirt and food debris. Table top can opener with encrusted food debris. Must clean and maintain all.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Floor of the electrical closet with dirt and debris. Dirty floor drain under the rear one compartment prep sink. Must clean and maintain all.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: Blackened, moldy wall caulking at the four compartment sink. Must replace.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Missing grease trap under the four compartment sink. Must install.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

      Inspector’s note: All unnecessary articles stored throughout the electrical closet must be removed and all other items must be stored elevated and organized.

11. Jun 27, 2017 Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    4 general Show violations

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Noted dirty cutting board at the rear prep area. Instructed to detail clean and maintain.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Noted heavy ice build up inside the front ice cream chest freezer. Instructed to defrost, clean and maintain.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and maintain the floor drain underneath the 4 compartment sink and maintain.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Linen: clean and soiled properly stored

      Inspector’s note: Noted water leaking from the sprayer of the 4 compartment sink. Instructed to repair and maintain.

12. Oct 25, 2016 Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    4 general Show violations

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Cutting board in rear covering 1 compartment sink needs to be thrown away darks grooves that can not come clean.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Observed interior of reach in ice cream cooler unclean with ice cream spills. Clean and maintain. Clean soda dispensing area including soda nozzles. Observed gaskets on reach in refrigerators need to be cleaned sanitized and maintained.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Observed floors under soda dispensing area unclean. All items under soda dispensing area must be pulled out and floors must be cleaned in detail.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Observed right side faucet of 3 compartment sink leaking at faucet and at sprayer. Faucet and sprayer must be repaired to prevent leaking. Towel must be removed from preventing leak.

13. Jan 20, 2016 Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical8 general Show violations

    • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

      Hands washed and cleaned, good hygienic practices; no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

      Inspector’s note: Observed employee handling cash and then scooping ice cream for milkshakes without washing hands. Observed employee handling cash and then applying gloves without washing hands and handling food. Instructed management on hygeinic practices. Critical violation 7-38-010 (a) (b)

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Observed underside of soda dispensers unclean. Detail clean soda dispenser area.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Observed interior of reach in ice cream freezer unclean with ice cream spills. Must clean and maintain interior of ice cream freezer. Observed interior of reach in freezer unclean with food spills. Clean and maintain interior of reach in freezer.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Observed exterior of printer unclean. Clean and maintain exterior of printer/fax.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Observed floors unclean under refrigerators in front service area. Observed floors unclean under 3 compartment sink and exposed hand sink and prep sink in rear. Observed floors unclean by rear exit door leading to dumpsters. Must clean and maintain all floors. Observed dirty floor drains under 3 compartment sink and under soda dispensing area, must clean ana maintain all floor drains.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: Obsserved wall at rear exit of facility leading to dumpsters with peeling paint and gouges in wall. Walls must be restored to a smooth easily cleanable surface and maintained in a sanitary condition at all times

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: Observed wall in kithcen underneath 1 compartment food preparation sink unclean. Observed walls under 3 compartment sink unclean. Clean and maintain walls in kitchen.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Observed leak under 3 compartment sink. Must repair and maintain leak.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

      Inspector’s note: Observed mops not hung to dry at mop sink. Must hand mops to dry to avoid small fly activity.

14. Jun 9, 2015 Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    6 general Show violations

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      * certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served

      Inspector’s note: Found/observed no certified food mgr on site with the City of Chicago Food Sanitation certificate while preparing, handling, serving potentially hazardous foods(sandwiches, soups, meat balls, etc..at this time of inspection, Citation issued 7-38012 Serious Violation.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Cutting boards that had deep cuts, shall be replaced/repaired. Walk in cooler shelving/racks that had peeling paint, shall be repaired/replaced, reach in freezer shelving/racks that had peeling paint/rust, shall be repaired/replaced.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Non food contact surfaces of walk in cooler shelving, cooler shelving/racks not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices). Prep tables lower shelving/racks not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices).

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Floors under heavy equipment,storage shelving not clean, need detailed cleaning(corners). Floors under 3 compartment sinks, and rear storage areas not clean, need cleaning(detailed).

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: Walls that had peeling paint outside bathrooms shall be repaired/sealed.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food handler requirements met

      Inspector’s note: Must provide food handlers list for next routine inspection.

15. Sep 15, 2014 Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    3 general Show violations

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Must remove excessive frost-ice build-up at the reach-in ice cream freezer box across from the register area.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Must detail clean and sanitize floor drains in the rear kitchen area to prevent pest breeding.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Must repair broken faucet at the 1-comp sink located next to the ice cream reach-in freezer. There is no running water at above stated sink. All equipment must be in operating condition at all times.

16. Jan 7, 2014 Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical3 general Show violations

    • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

      Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service

      Inspector’s note: Observed presliced sandwich deli meats not maintaining proper temperatures in the drawers of the cold holding unit under the foodline at the time of inspection. The temperature of the presliced deli meats at the time of inspection was 47.6 all potentially hazardous foods must be stored at 40f or less at all times. Cold holding unit was temped at 40.1f. Management voluntarily discarded deli meats with an estimated weight of 10 pounds and a value of $10.

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      Outside garbage waste grease and storage area; clean, rodent proof, all containers covered

      Inspector’s note: During inspection observed outside garbage area not maintained. Accumulation of garbage overflowing outside of the designated receptacle area. Garbage service provided service during inspection at 12:45 pm. Violation was corrected during time of inspection. Outside garbage areas must be maintained with lids closed at all times.

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      * certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served

      Inspector’s note: During inspection no city of chicago food sanitation certified manager on premise while potentially hazardous foods were being prepared. Must always have a city of chicago certified food service manager while potentially hazardous foods are being prepared, cooked, or handled.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Soda fountain machine was leaking accessive amounts of liquids at time of inspection. Must provide maintenance to prevent water leakage.

17. Jun 19, 2013 Pass

    License Re-Inspection · Pass

    No violations

18. Jun 12, 2013 Fail

    License · Fail

    1 critical7 general Show violations

    • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

      Facilities to maintain proper temperature

      Inspector’s note: Walk-in cooler not on,still setting up. Unit must maintain air temp of 40f and below. Critical violation: no citation issued, not operating.

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors

      Inspector’s note: Outer openings not protected,front and rear doors not rodent/insect proof.instructed to repair gap at bottom /between doors. Serious violation: no citations issued,not operating. No pest control log book/service provided at present time. Instructed to provide.

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      Outside garbage waste grease and storage area; clean, rodent proof, all containers covered

      Inspector’s note: Outside garbage container/nor the name of the company, provided at present time.instructed to provide. Serious violation:no citation issued, not operating.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: Hole on ceiling above the juice boxes behind the door of rear prep area,need to be sealed,smooth and cleanable surface.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Ovens not installed at present time,instructed that ventilation/hood be provided above units.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: No grease trap provided at 4 compartment sinks,instructed to provide it under the sinks or to know the location if one is provided on premises.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: A back flow prevention device must be provided at ice machine above the pop dispenser at self serve area.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

      Inspector’s note: Thermometers is needed inside all cooler units.