Pass

Potbelly Sandwich Shop

900 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

Restaurant ZIP 60642 Risk 1 (High)

Passed · as of Jul 21, 2026

Potbelly Sandwich Shop was last inspected on July 21, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 4 violations.

Latest inspection

July 21, 2026 · Canvass Re-Inspection

Pass

Result: Pass

4 general
  • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

    Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

    Inspector’s note: 2-402.11 observed food handler without effective hair restraint. Instructed to provide to prevent possible contamination

    Official wording (code 40)

    Personal cleanliness

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

    Inspector’s note: 4-601.11(b) observed exterior surfaces of hot hold equipment, interior cooling eqiupment, drink mixer stored in dining room, coffee machine, and pop dispenser with accumulated food debris and splatter. Instructed to remove, clean sanitize and maintain in order to prevent food source for pest.

    Official wording (code 49)

    Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

    Inspector’s note: 5-205.15 observed faucet neck of 3 compartment sink in disrepair covered with blue adhesive and leaking. Instructed to repair and maintain in good condition.

    Official wording (code 51)

    Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

    Inspector’s note: 6-501.13 observed floors throughout front and rear prep area under shelving racks, prep tables and heavy equipment in need of cleaning. Instructed to remove food debris and standing water and maintain.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspection history

11 inspections on record

  1. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    1 critical5 general Show violations
    • CriticalFood temperature

      Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

      Inspector’s note: Observed approximately 12lbs sliced portioned deli meat stored in 2 door prep cooler at improper cold holding temperature during time of inspection. Noted temperature between 50- @57.0f. Instructed to hold all cold tcs foods @ 41f and below at all times as required. Pic voluntarily discarded deli meat. Priority violation. #7-38-005. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 22)

      Proper cold holding temperatures

    • GeneralPests

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed approximately 35 or more small black live flies flying throughout front and rear prep, rear storage and dining room on walls, exterior surfaces cooling equipment, on cardboard boxes, and near floor drain inside cabinet where beverage dispenser is located. Instructed to contact pest control for service, clean and sanitize all affected areas. Must eliminate fly activity and maintain. Priority foundation violation. #7-38-020 (a). Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 38)

      Insects, rodents, & animals not present

    • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

      Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Observed food handler without effective hair restraint. Instructed to provide to prevent possible contamination

      Official wording (code 40)

      Personal cleanliness

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed exterior surfaces of hot hold equipment, interior cooling eqiupment, drink mixer stored in dining room, coffee machine, and pop dispenser with accumulated food debris and splatter. Instructed to remove, clean sanitize and maintain in order to prevent food source for pest.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Observed faucet neck of 3 compartment sink in disrepair covered with blue adhesive and leaking. Instructed to repair and maintain in good condition.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed floors throughout front and rear prep area under shelving racks, prep tables and heavy equipment in need of cleaning. Instructed to remove food debris and standing water and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  2. Conditional

    Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical2 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalFood temperature

      Hot food was held below a safe temperature.

      Inspector’s note: Found 5 lbs of cooked beef meatballs held in a steam table at 54.3°F; the steam table was not turned on. Instructed to hold Hot TCS foods at 135°F or higher. Priority violation 7-38-005. Item discarded valued at $20.

      Official wording (code 21)

      Proper hot holding temperatures

    • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

      Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Food handler not wearing hair restraints, Instructed to wear.

      Official wording (code 40)

      Personal cleanliness

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Standing water pooling on floor under front prep kitchen hand wash sink, Instructed to minimize standing water to prevent insects breading site.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • PaperworkManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: No certified food service manager on site while handling and serving TCS foods ( deli meat, meat balls, etc.), instructed to obtain. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012.

      Official wording (code 2)

      City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

  3. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    No violations

  4. Pass

    Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass

    1 paperwork Show violations
    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: 2-102.13 observed 2 certified food managers on duty without a valid allergen training certificate. Management instructed that all certified food managers must have a valid allergen training certificate.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  5. Fail

    Complaint · Fail

    3 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • GeneralPests

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed approx. 15 live small flying insects on the walls and boxes of stock in the food prep areas, dining room and sandwich pickup area. 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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Clean the interior of the sandwich prep cooler next to the conveyor oven and the prep cooler across from the oven.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Clean the walls with food debris on them around the 3-compartment sink.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Observed 2 certified food managers on duty without a valid allergen training certificate. Management instructed that all certified food managers must have a valid allergen training certificate.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  6. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    1 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no covered trash receptacle inside unisex toilet room located closer to rear exit door. Instructed to provide.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

  7. Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    No violations

  8. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    2 critical1 general2 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

      No one in charge was present who knew the food-safety rules.

      Inspector’s note: No city of chicago certified manager on site while tcs foods (soup, sandwiches) are prepared and served. Priority foundation.

      Official wording (code 1)

      Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

      Inspector’s note: No hand drying provision at front prep handwashing sink or unisex washroom #1. All handwashing sinks must be supplied with hot water, soap and hand drying device at all times. Priority foundation. 7-38-030(c). Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • GeneralPests

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

      Inspector’s note: No updated pest control log book on site durin time of inspection. Observed most recent pest control report dated 02/08/2021. Must provide logbook with most recent service and state license. Priority foundation. 7-38-020(c). Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 38)

      Insects, rodents, & animals not present

    • PaperworkManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: No city of chicago certified manager on site while tcs foods (soup, sandwiches) are prepared and served. Priority foundation. 7-38-012. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 2)

      City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: No certified fod manager on site. No allergen training. All certified anagers must obtain allergen training.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  9. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    2 critical Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no vomit and diarrhea procedure or cleaning materials to clean up said incident on site. Facility must provide procedures and cleaning materials (gloves, mask, disposable mop, disinfectant rated for norovirus) for employees to follow and use when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events. Instructed manager to provide. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-005.

      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 ready-to-eat time/ temeperature control for safety foods (tcs): tuna, variety of sliced meats held for over 24 hours without discard date. Instructed facility to provide discard date for any ready-to-eat tcs foods held for over 24 hours. Priority foundation. 7-38-005. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 23)

      Proper date marking and disposition

  10. Conditional

    License · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: No employee health policy on site at time of inspection. Instructed to provide and maintain. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010

      Official wording (code 3)

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

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: No food handler training certification on site for food handlers. Instructed to provide and maintain

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

More in ZIP 60642

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 4 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.