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POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS LLC

900 N MICHIGAN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60611 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS LLC has been inspected 12 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 22, 2010. The most recent inspection, on August 21, 2018, found no infractions.

4 of 12 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: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Cleaning and sanitizing 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.

  • 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 once on February 22, 2017. For example: APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

  • 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 December 11, 2015. For example: DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

  • 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 January 31, 2012. 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 14 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on July 25, 2016. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

  • 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 6 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on February 22, 2017. For example: LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

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.

12 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • ICE CREAM FREEZER LIGHT FIXTURE MISSING A LIGHT SHIELD, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
    • 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.
  3. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • REPLACE OR RESURFACE THE RUSTED FOOD STORAGE SHELVES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, REPAINT THE RUSTED GREASE TRAP UNDER THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK, AND REMOVE DUST BUILDUP FROM THE FAN VENT COVER IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AND MAINTAIN.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • DETAIL CLEAN THE SODA BOTTLE DISPENSING TRAYS IN THE REACH-IN SODA COOLER TO REMOVE SODA SPLATTER AND BUILDUP.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • WATER BUILDUP ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE SODA DISPENING UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE WATER ACCUMULATION AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • DETAIL CLEAN THE HOOD VENTS ABOVE THE FOOD LINE TO REMOVE DUST AND DEBRIS BUILDUP.
  4. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • OBSERVED 3-COMP SINK DRAINING IMPROPERLY(SLOWLY) WHEN WATER IS RELEASED FROM BASIN. MUST REPAIR. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • REMOVE FOOD ENCRUSTED SPILLS ON SHELVING AND POST IN WALK-IN COOLER CLEAN/SANITIZE.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN FLOORS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: REAR PREP AREA, WALK-IN COOLER AND PAPER GOOD STORAGE AREA.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • REMOVE CLUTTER IN THE FORM OF CARDBOARD BOXES ON FLOOR IN REAR PREP AREA, ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYEES STORAGE AREA AND PAPER GOODS STORAGE AREA.
  6. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • DIPPER WELL BEHIND FRONT SERVICE COUNTER IN POOR REPAIR. MUST REPAIR.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN/SANITIZE FLOOR BEHIND FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, AT REAR AND WALK-IN COOLER.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • LEAK AT HOT WATER LINE UNDER PRODUCE SINK AT REAR. MUST REPAIR.
  7. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • LEAKING COLD WATER AT REAR PREP EXPOSED HAND SINK. MUST REPAIR.
  8. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • FOUND FOOD CONTAINERS NOT STORED PROPERLY. MUST STORE INVERTED.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • FOUND THREE CUTTING BOARDS IN POOR REPAIR. DEEP GROOVES.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • FOUND LEAKY DIPPER WELL.
  9. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  10. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines. FOUND ABOUT 35 LIVE FRUIT FLIES SCATTARED MAINLY AROUND DISH WASHING AREA AND DRY FOOD STORAGE, ALSO FOUND 2 LIVE COCKROACHES AND SEVERAL DEAD ONES UNDER FRONT COUNTER. INSTRUCTED MGR TO ELIMINATE INSECTS ACTIVITY IN ALL AFFECTED AREAS. PEST CONTROL SERVICE RECOMMENDED.
    • 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 REPLCAE BROKEN COOLER DOOR GASKETS.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces. NO LIGHTING AT REAR DRY FOOD STORAGE AND WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
  11. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • INTERIOR LEDGES OF FRONT COOLERS & INTERIOR OF 3-COMP SINK MUST BE KEPT FREE OF FOOD DEBRIS. All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOORS UNDER SHELVES OF WALK-IN COOLER NEED CLEANING. The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • BROKEN WALL TILES TO THE LEFT OF MILKSHAKE MACHINE MUST BE REPLACED, TO MAKE SURFACE SMOOTH/EASILY CLEANABLE. The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.
  12. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

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