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POTBELLY SANDWICH SHOP

600 E GRAND AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60611 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

POTBELLY SANDWICH SHOP has been inspected 11 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 1, 2018. The most recent inspection, on February 26, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

2 of 11 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 1 infraction recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food temperature control and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on March 6, 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 23, 2022. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 9, 2019. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded once on August 23, 2022. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 12 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on March 6, 2025. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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.

11 inspections

  1. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • PERSON IN CHARGE WITH NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE, ONLY PHOTO COPY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MUST HAVE A VALID/ORGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012.
  2. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE DEEP FREEZER IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DAMAGED FLOOR IN REAR PREP. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  3. Recent Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED HEAVY FOOD DEBRIS THROUGHOUT FLOORS IN REAR PREP, AND FRONT PREP AREAS, BEHIND ALL EQUIPMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED KICK PLATE SCREWS COMING OFF, ON DOOR LEADING TO REAR PREP, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED MISSING MECHANICAL VENTILATION COVER IN CEILING OF DISHWASHING AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE, AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ICE BIN LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA OUTER LID A LITTLE DIRTYAND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR SURFACES OF BREAD STORAGE RACKS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED HOLE IN CEILING ABOVE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO ENCLOSE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DETACHED WALL BASE IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE.
  6. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • coolers thermometer placed at rear behind food containers, instructed to keep in a conspicuous area.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • Bulk food container (salt) not labeled, instructed to label and maintain.
  7. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS ACCUMULATION NOTED ON THE INTERIOR BOTTOM OF THE MILKSHAKE COOLER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. FOUND ICE AND OLD FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP ON THE FLOOR INSIDE THE WALK-IN FREEZER. MUST REMOVE ICE, CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN.
  8. Canvass Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • Violation Codes: 2-402.11. Inspector Comments: - OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER EMPLOYEE IN THE REAR PREP AREA WITHOUT WEARING ANY HAIR RESTRAINTS. MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL FOOD HANDLER EMPLOYEES.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • Violation Codes: 4-601.11(C). Inspector Comments: - OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION OF ICE AND DEBRIS ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE CREAM FREEZER. MUST REMOVE EXCESS ICE AND DEBRIS, DETAIL CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • Violation Codes: 6-501.12. Inspector Comments: - OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT/DEBRIS INSIDE THE FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. MUST REMOVE DEBRIS BUILDUP, DETAIL CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT/DEBRIS BUILDUP ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE COUNTERS, SHELVING, AND EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. MUST REMOVE DEBRIS, DETAIL CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN AREA CLEANLINESS.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • Violation Codes: 6-501.14. Inspector Comments: - OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT/DEBRIS BUILDUP ON THE CEILING EXHAUST VENTILATION IN THE REAR PREP AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  9. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • - OBSERVED THE FRONT PREP COOLER LOCATED NEXT TO THE SANDWICH TOASTER HOLDING IMPROPER TEMPERATURE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF THE COOLER IS 57.0F AT THIS TIME. MUST PROVIDE ALL COLD HOLD EQUIPMENT TO MAINTAIN A TEMPERATURE 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. VIOLATION CORRECTED ON SITE. THE COOLER HAS BEEN TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. REMOVAL OF THE TAG OR USE OF THE COOLER IS PROHIBITED AT THIS TIME. MUST CONTACT CDPH AT [email protected] TO REQUEST TAG REMOVAL INSPECTION, ONCE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. PRIORITY VIOLATION#:7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. -
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • - OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER EMPLOYEE IN THE REAR PREP AREA WITHOUT WEARING ANY HAIR RESTRAINTS. MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL FOOD HANDLER EMPLOYEES. -
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • - OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION OF ICE AND DEBRIS ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE CREAM FREEZER. MUST REMOVE EXCESS ICE AND DEBRIS, DETAIL CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN. -
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • - OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT/DEBRIS INSIDE THE FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. MUST REMOVE DEBRIS BUILDUP, DETAIL CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT/DEBRIS BUILDUP ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE COUNTERS, SHELVING, AND EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. MUST REMOVE DEBRIS, DETAIL CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN AREA CLEANLINESS. -
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • - OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT/DEBRIS BUILDUP ON THE CEILING EXHAUST VENTILATION IN THE REAR PREP AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. -
  10. License

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.13- OBSERVED NO COVING FIXTURE ATTACHED TO WALL AND FLOOR JUNCTIONS DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH HAND SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INSTALL. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.11-OBSERVED 9.5 FEET LONG GAP/CRACK/EXPOSED FLOOR JOINT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, ON FLOOR. INFORMED MANAGER THAT SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL AREA AND ENSURE SURFACE IS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  11. License

    0 infractions

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