Potbelly
225 E Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611
Restaurant ZIP 60611 Risk 1 (High)
Passed · as of May 21, 2026
Potbelly was last inspected on May 21, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 2 violations.
Latest inspection
May 21, 2026 · Complaint Re-Inspection
Result: Pass
2 general-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: Observed some prep area coolers rubber door gaskets ripped/damaged. Instructed manager must repair/replace all damaged coolers doors rubber gaskets 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: Observed cutting boards surfaces stained and pitted. Instructed manager must repair/replace damaged cutting boards.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspection history
14 inspections on record
-
Fail
Complaint · Fail
3 general Show violations
-
GeneralPests
Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.
Inspector’s note: Observed 40 live small flies on walls at prep area. Instructed manager must remove all small flies by date of reinspection. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a). Advised to call pest control operator for service.
Official wording (code 38)
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: Observed some prep area coolers rubber door gaskets ripped/damaged. Instructed manager must repair/replace all damaged coolers doors rubber gaskets 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: Observed cutting boards surfaces stained and pitted. Instructed manager must repair/replace damaged cutting boards.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
-
-
Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical1 general Show violations
-
CriticalFacility upkeep
Sewage or wastewater wasn’t disposed of properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed inadequate waste water disposal at 3 compartment sink. When water is drained from 1 compartment it backs up into another compartment in addition to leaking heavily from the top of the grease trap. Instructed manager to service 3 compartment sink and grease trap. Technician repaired grease trap. Priority violation 7-38-030(c) citation issued.
Official wording (code 52)
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
-
Pass
Canvass · Pass
4 general Show violations
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Noted reach in coolers in rear prep and dishroom missing compressor cover, instructed to replace or repair and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed in dishroom floor, walls, and ceiling tiles with excessive amount of food debris, and dust instructed to 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: Noted all reach in coolers encrusted in food debris, instructed to clean and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Observed in dishroom vent and is excessive amount of dust, instructed to clean and maintain.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
-
-
Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
3 critical3 general1 paperwork Show violations
-
CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.
Inspector’s note: Observed food handler pour pickle juice in handsink during time of inspection. Instructed to not use handsink for any other purpose but handwashing and maintain. Priority foundation violation. #7-38-030 (c). Citation issued.
Official wording (code 10)
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
-
CriticalFood temperature
Hot food was held below a safe temperature.
Inspector’s note: Observed approximately 2.5 lbs of cooked meatballs stored inside hot hold unit at improper temperatures. Noted temp @ 122.0f. Instructed to hold all hot tcs foods @135f and higher and maintain. Said food discarded during time of inspection. Priority violation. #7-38-005.please see violation #22 for citation.
Official wording (code 21)
Proper hot holding temperatures
-
CriticalFood temperature
Cold food was held above a safe temperature.
Inspector’s note: Observed approximately 25 lbs of sliced turkey stored inside cold hold unit and 2 door cooler in prep area at improper temperatures during time of inspection. Noted temperatures ranging between 45.0f-55.0f. Instructed to hold all cold tcs foods at 41f and below and maintain. Person in charge voluntarily discarded said food items during this time. Priority violation. #7-38-005. Citation issued.
Official wording (code 22)
Proper cold holding temperatures
-
GeneralHygiene & sanitation
Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Observed food handlers without effective hair restraints, instructed to provide.
Official wording (code 40)
Personal cleanliness
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed excessive amounts of food spillage and dried food debris on internal and external surfaces of cooling units, heavy equipment and storage racks. Instructed to 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: Observed floors with excessive food debris in cafe storage room throughout. Must clean and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
PaperworkManagement & training
Required allergen training was missing.
Inspector’s note: Observed 1 of 3 allergen training certificates on site for review. Instructed to obtain and maintain.
Official wording (code 58)
Allergen training as required
-
-
Conditional
Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical1 general Show violations
-
CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Hands weren’t washed properly or when required.
Inspector’s note: Poor hygienic practices, Observed a food handler handling cash register and then preparing ready-to-eat foods without washing hands. Instructed manager to have all food handlers wash hands when required. Priority violation 7-38-010.
Official wording (code 8)
Hands clean & properly washed
-
GeneralHygiene & sanitation
Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Hair nets not worn properly, long hair braids singing close to open food items. instructed to contain hair.
Official wording (code 40)
Personal cleanliness
-
-
Pass
Canvass · Pass
1 general Show violations
-
GeneralFood temperature
Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.
Inspector’s note: Thermometer push to the back of cooler, instructed to keep in warmest part where it is easy to view.
Official wording (code 36)
Thermometers provided & accurate
-
-
Pass
Canvass · Pass
No violations
-
Pass
Short Form Complaint · Pass
No violations
-
Pass
Complaint · Pass
No violations
-
Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 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 cutting boards throughout prep area with deep grooves and dark stains. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain smooth cleanable cutting surfaces.
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: Observed gaskets on cooler drawers near ordering area with brown and black dirt and grime. Instructed to clean, sanitize, and maintain clean gaskets.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
-
-
Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 general Show violations
-
GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Observed gasket to the right door of the 2-door cooler in poor condition. Instructed to replace.
-
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 the floors throughout the prep areas. Instructed to remove, clean and maintain at all times.
-
-
Pass
Canvass · Pass
3 general Show violations
-
GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Prep area not protected by gates or coolers locked after closing. Facility in the atrium of a hospital entrance.
-
GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Hand sink in dish washing area not clean, instructed to clean and maintain.
-
GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector’s note: Food handlers with beard not wearing beard restraints. Instructed to wear.
-
-
Pass
License · Pass
No violations
More in ZIP 60611
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 6 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.