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POTBELLY SANDWICH SHOP

225 E CHICAGO, CHICAGO, IL 60611 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

POTBELLY SANDWICH SHOP has been inspected 14 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since November 9, 2016. The most recent inspection, on May 21, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

4 of 14 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 5 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food temperature control and Pests.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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.

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 4, 2023. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 4, 2023. For example: PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded once on May 13, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 once on October 4, 2023. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 9 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on May 21, 2026. For example: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

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.

14 inspections

  1. Complaint Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED SOME PREP AREA COOLERS RUBBER DOOR GASKETS RIPPED/DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR/REPLACE ALL DAMAGED COOLERS DOORS RUBBER GASKETS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS SURFACES STAINED AND PITTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR/REPLACE DAMAGED CUTTING BOARDS.
  2. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • 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.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED SOME PREP AREA COOLERS RUBBER DOOR GASKETS RIPPED/DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR/REPLACE ALL DAMAGED COOLERS DOORS RUBBER GASKETS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS SURFACES STAINED AND PITTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR/REPLACE DAMAGED CUTTING BOARDS.
  3. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • 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.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
  4. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED REACH IN COOLERS IN REAR PREP AND DISHROOM MISSING COMPRESSOR COVER, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED IN DISHROOM FLOOR, WALLS, AND CEILING TILES WITH EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FOOD DEBRIS, AND DUST INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED ALL REACH IN COOLERS ENCRUSTED IN FOOD DEBRIS, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED IN DISHROOM VENT AND IS EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DUST, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • 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.
    • 21. PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • 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.
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • 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.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 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.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FLOORS WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS IN CAFE STORAGE ROOM THROUGHOUT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED 1 OF 3 ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR REVIEW. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 8. HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED
      • 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.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • Hair nets not worn properly, long hair braids singing close to open food items. instructed to contain hair.
  7. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • THERMOMETER PUSH TO THE BACK OF COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP IN WARMEST PART WHERE IT IS EASY TO VIEW.
  8. Canvass

    0 infractions

  9. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  10. Complaint

    0 infractions

  11. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA WITH DEEP GROOVES AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH CLEANABLE CUTTING SURFACES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED GASKETS ON COOLER DRAWERS NEAR ORDERING AREA WITH BROWN AND BLACK DIRT AND GRIME. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN CLEAN GASKETS.
  12. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED GASKET TO THE RIGHT DOOR OF THE 2-DOOR COOLER IN POOR CONDITION. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  13. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • PREP AREA NOT PROTECTED BY GATES OR COOLERS LOCKED AFTER CLOSING. FACILITY IN THE ATRIUM OF A HOSPITAL ENTRANCE.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • HAND SINK IN DISH WASHING AREA NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • FOOD HANDLERS WITH BEARD NOT WEARING BEARD RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR.
  14. License

    0 infractions

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