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POTBELLY SANDWICH SHOP

222 W MERCHANDISE MART PLZ, CHICAGO, IL 60654 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

POTBELLY SANDWICH SHOP has been inspected 3 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 21, 2023. The most recent inspection, on June 11, 2025, recorded 4 infractions.

1 of 3 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 11, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded once on June 12, 2024. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 11, 2025. For example: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 11, 2025. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

3 inspections

  1. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE PREP LINE COOLER#1.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED SOME STAINED CUTTING BOARDS ON TOP OF THE PREP LINE COOLERS AT FRONT FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE BUILD-UP ON THE KNOZZLES AT THE FOUNTAIN DRINK STATION AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEATH THE LEFT COMPARTMENT OF THE DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.
  2. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED INTERNAL AIR THERMOMETER IN CENTRAL LINE COOLER TO BE IN POOR REPAIR AND NON-FUNCTIONING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER AND MAINTAIN FUNCTIONAL THERMOMETER IN ALL COLD-HOLDING EQUIPMENT.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED PLASTIC EXTENDABLE HOSE ON INTERIOR OF LINE COOLER (NEAR COOKIE OVEN) TO BE SOILED WITH UNNECESSARY CREVICES AND NOT EASILY CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE OR REPLACE PLASTIC EXTENDABLE HOSE IN COOLER WITH MODEL THAT IS EASILY-CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES (INTERIOR CAVITY) OF LINE COOLER (NEAR COOKIE OVEN) TO BE SOILED WITH FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FLOORS BENEATH SHELVES AND EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR HALLWAY TO BE SOILED WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS BENEATH EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.
  3. License

    0 infractions

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