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POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS

565 W DIVERSEY PKWY, CHICAGO, IL 60614 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS has been inspected 9 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 7, 2011. The most recent inspection, on March 8, 2018, found no infractions.

1 of 9 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: Food temperature control and Pests.

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.

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on February 27, 2018. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 27, 2018. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 18 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on February 27, 2018. For example: WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

  • 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 7 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on May 11, 2017. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded once on November 26, 2013. For example: * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

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.

9 inspections

  1. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • ESTABLISHMENT NOT PEST PROOFED. OBSERVED FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED DOOR HAS APPROXIMATELY 1/2" OPENING AT THE LOWER CORNER WEST SIDE OF BOTTOM DOOR. MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. SERIOUS VIOLATTION 7-38-020.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED DUST ACCUMULATION ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED MISSING AND WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN REAR STORAGE ROOM. MUST REAPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED FRONT EXPOSED HAND SINK DRAINING SLOW AT THE FRONT PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED SLOW LEAKY PIPE UDERNEATH PREP SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETER NEEDED AT THE FRONT 2-DOOR PREP COOLER. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN FLOOR IN THE SMALL STORAGE ROOM IN THE REAR. ALSO, REPAIR BROKEN AND MISSING FLOOR TILES BELOW THE COMPUTER STATION IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST REPLACE MISSING WALL TILES ABOVE THE WALK IN COOLER. REPLACE STAINED AND MISSING CEILING TILES IN THE SMALL STORAGE ROOM IN REAR. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • MUST CLEAN LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AREA, UNKNOWN DEBRIS PRESENT. INSTALL WORKING LIGHT IN SMALL STORAGE ROOM IN REAR. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE CLUTTER FROM SMALL STORAGE ROOM IN THE REAR. ELEVATE ITEMS 6" OFF FLOORS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE, AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • OBSERVED FRONT DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED. 1/2" GAPS AT LOWER CORNERS OF THE DOOR, FRAME APPEARS TO BE DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR DOOR FRAME AND INSTALL A PROPER THRESHOLD AROUND LOWER CORNERS AND BOTTOM OF DOOR TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST DEFROST SMALL ICE CREAM DEEP FREEZER AND WALK IN FREEZER IN REAR, ICE ACCUMULATION PRESENT. MUST REMOVE RUST ON STORAGE RACKS IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES IN ALL PREP COOLER BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER, AND IN STORAGE CABINETS BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER, FOOD DEBRIS PRESENT.INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN FLOORS IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS UNDER HEAVY EQUIPMENT. FLOORS IN THE SMALL STORAGE ROOM IN THE REAR. ALSO, REPAIR BROKEN AND MISSING FLOOR TILES BELOW THE COMPUTER STATION IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST CLEAN WALL ABOVE THE SHAKE CONDIMENTS, DUST PRESENT. REPLACE MISSING WALL TILES ABOVE THE WALK IN COOLER. REPLACE STAINED AND MISSING CEILING TILES IN THE SMALL STORAGE ROOM IN REAR. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • MUST CLEAN LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AREA, UNKNOWN DEBRIS PRESENT. INSTALL WORKING LIGHT IN SMALL STORAGE ROOM IN REAR. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE CLUTTER FROM SMALL STORAGE ROOM IN THE REAR. ELEVATE ITEMS 6" OFF FLOORS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE. ALSO, AREA OUTSIDE REAR EXIT DOOR WHERE FURNITURE IS STORED, HAS EXCESSIVE GARBAGE AND DEBRIS PRESENT. INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE, AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • OBSERVED THAT THE PREP TOP COOLER CLOSEST TO THE CONVEYOR GRILL WAS HOLDING IMPROPER TEMPERATURE, NOTED AT 45-51 DEGREES. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS WERE STORED IN THE COOLER AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED FACILITIES TO MAINTIAN TEMPERATURE AT OR BELOW 40 DEGREES. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-005(A)
    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN THE SANDWICH PREP COOLER: SALAD DRESSING (LABEL ON CONTAINER STATES THAT REFRIGERATION IS REQUIRED) 50 DEGREES, 14 LBS/$10; BEANS, 49 DEGREES, 6 LBS/$5. OPERATOR VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED THESE PRODUCTS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO MAINTAIN COLD POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT THE PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 40 DEGREES OR BELOW. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-005(A)
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED A LEAK IN THE WASTE PIPING OF THE ONE COMPARTMENT PREP SINK IN REAR PREP. MUST REPAIR.
  6. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP UNCLEAN WITH FOOD RELATED OBJECTS STORED ON TOP OF IT. CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS SHELF LINER. REMOVE CARDBOARD ALL SURFACES NEED TO BE NON ABSORBANT, SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED SHELVES UNCLEAN WITH DUST AND DIRT ACCUMULATION IN REAR PAPER GOODS STORAGE ROOM. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE SHELVES.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FLOORS UNCLEAN IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: UNDER DRY STORAGE SHELVES IN HALLWAY AND IN REAR PAPER GOODS STORAGE ROOM. OBSERVED FLOOR NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE IN REAR PAPER GOODS STORAGE ROOM. RESTORE FLOOR TO A SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. OBSERVED TILES IN DISREPAIR ON FLOOR NEAR SAFE AND COMPUTER. REPAIR, RESTORE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FLOORS.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHEILD NEAR SAFE AND COMPUTER AND 3 COMPARMENT SINK. REPLACE AND MAINTAIN LIGHT SHEILD COVER.
  7. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST] CLEAN IN DETAIL AND SANITIZE INSIDE PREP COOLER FOR SALAD AND INSIDE THE ICE CREAM FREEZER AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOOR BEHIND AND UNDER ALL COOLERS AND FREEZER NEEDS DETAIL CLEANING (WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND DUST ACCUMULATED) AND MAINTAIN.
  8. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON PREMISES AND NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE FOODS WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED IE: SOUP @159.9F. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012.
  9. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use. TABLE TOP CAN OPENER ENCRUSTED WITH FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AFTER EACH USE.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. INTERIOR ALL DELI LINE COOLERS WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS ON INNER SHELVING. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. CRACKED/MISSING WALL TILES AT PILLAR NEXT TO "DRESS # 3" STATION. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL COOLERS.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. UNUSED COOLER IN REAR MUST BE MAINTAINED OR REMOVED FROM PREMISES.

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