Potbelly Sandwich Shop

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Mar 31, 2026 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   1 general Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Sewage or wastewater wasn’t disposed of properly.

     Inspector’s note: OBSERVED WASTE WATER SPILLING ONTO FLOOR FROM DRAIN PIPES WHEN DRAINING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DRAIN SLOWLY WHILE THEY WAIT FOR THE PLUMBER TO COME FIX IT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO GET PIPES CLEANED TO PREVENT BACK UP ONTO FLOOR OF FACILITY. PRIORITY. 7-38-030(c). CITATION ISSUED.

     Official wording (code 52)

     Sewage & waste water properly disposed

2. Mar 13, 2025 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   3 general Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed food temperature probe thermometer in poor repair, probe severely bent and screen unreadable. Facility has other food temperature probe thermometers in good repair for measuring food temperatures at the time of inspection. Instructed to repair or replace damaged food temperature probe thermometer and maintain all utensils and temperature measuring devices in good repair.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed build up of litter in shared outdoor refuse enclosure area. Instructed to remove litter and maintain shared outdoor refuse enclosure free from litter or other items unnecessary to food operations.

     Official wording (code 54)

     Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed wall and base coving behind 3-compartment and 1-compartment sinks in the rear prep area to be soiled with dried food debris and other soils. Instructed to clean wall and base coving in rear prep area at adequate frequency to prevent build up of dried food debris and other soils and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

3. Aug 13, 2024 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   3 general Show violations

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

     Inspector’s note: Observed multiple boxed food items being stored on floor in walk-in cooler in the rear prep area. Instrcuted the person in charge to elevate all food items six inches from floor on raised shelving units and maintain.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated food debris on interior and exterior surfaces of cooking equipment, prep tables, coolers, freezers, shelving units. Instructed the person in charge to clean and maintain. (nonfood contact surfaces)

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated food debris on the floors throughout the front and rear prep areas. Instrcuted the person in charge to clean floors and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

4. Jan 25, 2023 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   No violations

5. Jan 17, 2023 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   1 general Show violations

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed approx. 25 live small flying insects on the walls and ceiling of the rear food prep area around the 3 compartment sink and mop sink. Additional pest control service is needed to eliminate the pest activity. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a). Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

6. May 6, 2022 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 paperwork Show violations

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no one on site with a city of chicago certified food manager certificate, no certificate posted. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

7. May 6, 2021 Pass

   Complaint · Pass

   2 general Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed dust accumulation in exhaust hood at front prep area. Instructed to detail clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed inoperable ventilation in both washrooms. Instructed to repair and maintain.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

8. Feb 20, 2020 Pass

   Complaint · Pass

   6 general Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Must clean and sanitized all the carts with bread(with food crumbs)and maintain.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Must defrost the ice cream freezer with heavy ice accumulated and maintain.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

     Inspector’s note: Must detail clean and sanitize all the hand washing sinks and 3 compartment sink and maintain.

     Official wording (code 48)

     Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and sanitize interior bottom of all coolers and freezers with food debris 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: Floor along the wall base, all corner,underneath all coolers and freezer with food debris and dirt. Instructed to detail clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Must replace burnt-out light bulb in the dining area close to the entrance door and maintain.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

9. Jun 14, 2019 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   7 general Show violations

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Food thermometer must be easily readable and accurate in fahrenheit taking food temperatures and to maintain.priority foundation violation 7-38-005,no citation issued.

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean interior gaskets of refrigeration units with accumulation of food debris and exterior of soup hot holding unit in food prep area to remove dried up food debris and to maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: FOUND OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER NOT MAINTAINED OVERFLOWING WITH FOOD WASTE BAGS AND CONTAINER NOT COVERED.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT LIDS MUST BE TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT PEST FEED/HARBORAGE AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(b),CITATION ISSUED - COS.

     Official wording (code 54)

     Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and sanitize walls in front food prep area to remove food splashed debris and to maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide missing floor drain cover in front food prep area and to maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to replace burnt-out light bulbs at exhaust hoods front food prep area and to maintain.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean to remove accumulations of dusts at exhaust hoods at front food prep area and to maintain.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

10. Aug 2, 2018 Conditional

    Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical1 general Show violations

    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Found no procedure/plan for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events. Instructed to provide and maintain appropriate supplies. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 no citation issued

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and maintain interior and exterior surfaces of all coolers, interior storage cabinet underneath beverage dispenser machine, interior surfaces of display beverage cooler with excessive dried food debris, front counter with dust build-up, light shields, hood and vents above front area. Prep cooler glass cover, windows and doors.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

11. Jul 26, 2018 Fail

    Complaint · Fail

    2 critical5 general1 paperwork Show violations

    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 (a) NO CITATION ISSUED

      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: Found no procedure/plan for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events. Instructed to provide and maintain appropriate supplies. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 no citation issued

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and maintain interior and exterior surfaces of all coolers, interior storage cabinet underneath beverage dispenser machine, interior surfaces of display beverage cooler with excessive dried food debris, front counter with dust build-up, light shields, hood and vents above front area. Prep cooler glass cover, windows and doors.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to repair water leak from drainpipe underneath 3 compartment sink in rear prep area.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Found outside garbage area not clean with excessive garbage under and around garbage dumpster. Instructed to detail clean and maintain the area to prevent pest harborage. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020 (b) citation issued

      Official wording (code 54)

      Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and maintain floors with dried food debris and dirt accumulation along the walls and in all corners in front and in rear prep area.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and maintain water drippage on floor from ceiling (air conditioning line) in front counter area.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Found no approved allergen training in accordance with pa 100-0367 on site. Instructed any person with city of chicago food service sanitation certificate to comply with allergen training. Priority foundation violation pa 100-0367 no citation issued

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

12. Mar 10, 2017 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: Clean in detail inside the cabinets in the front area and underneath the soda machine and maintain.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

      Inspector’s note: Clean the floor thru-out rear prep and front area with food debris and used plastic gloves on the floor. Must clean along the wall base all corner and under and behind all cooler 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: Ceiling vent cover in both washrooms and in the front serving area with dust build-up. Must clean,remove dust and maintain.

13. Jun 15, 2016 Pass

    Complaint · Pass

    1 general Show violations

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles

      Inspector’s note: Found spoon with handle laying in the lettuce in cold hold unit. Instructed to properly store all utensils in a separate, clean container.

14. Mar 9, 2016 Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    6 general Show violations

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed ice accumulation in freezer in front prep area. Instructed to defrost, clean and maintain.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed dust on air filter on top of ice machine/soda machine. Instructed to clean, sanitize and maintain.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed food debris on floor of walk in cooler. Instructed to clean and maintain.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed ventilation not working in men's and women's restroom. Instructed to repair and maintain.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Linen: clean and soiled properly stored

      Inspector’s note: Observed soiled shirts and wash cloths piled up in rear corner of prep area. Instructed to provide proper linen bag to store items in (and to monitor level of soiled linens piled up in prep area).

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed rear prep area near office with much clutter piled against walls and on floor. Instructed to clean and organize. All items must be at least 6 inches from the floor throughout kitchen area and walkin.

15. Dec 15, 2015 Pass

    License · Pass

    No violations

16. Dec 7, 2015 Not Ready

    License · Not Ready

    No violations