Potbelly Sandwich Works

Year by year

Inspections

1. Dec 31, 2025 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

     OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE THROUGHOUT INSPECTION. CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER SHOWED UP SHORTLY AFTER INSPECTION BEGAN, HOWEVER CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER LEFT BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER IS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

     OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR PREP BLOCKED BY GIANT DISH. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE HAND WASHING SINK IS ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. EMPLOYEE REMOVED DISH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED BROKEN TILES ON WALL UNDERNEATH REAR HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.

2. Dec 3, 2024 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

     OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF REPORTING AGREEMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

     OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWEL IN THE AT THE HAND-SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT PAPER TOWELS MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HAND SINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED PAPER TOWEL FOR HAND SINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN WALK IN COOLER UNDER SHELVING RACKS, BEHIND AND UNDERNEATH ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT FRONT & REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     OBSERVED LIGHT SHIELD OPEN IN REAR PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO SECURLY CLOSED AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

   • Severity not stated

     ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

     OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGER WITH NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.

3. Mar 26, 2024 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

     No hand soap provided for rear prep/dish washing area hand wash sink, instructed to provide. priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c)

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

     No paper towels provided at rear prep/ dish washing area hand wash sink, instructed to provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c)

   • Severity not stated

     APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

     Improper thawing method, found frozen chicken placed in prep sink at room temp to thaw, instructed to manager to thaw frozen food according to health code.

   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     Walk-in cooler walls and fan cover with dirt and dust build-up, instructed to clean and maintain.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     Floors not clean behind grease trap and 3-comp sink, food debris and accumulated grease noted. Instructed to clean and maintain.

4. Apr 26, 2023 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     OBSERVED DIRTY PLUMBING FIXTURES IN BOTH TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN DNA MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN WALK IN COOLER UNDER SHELVING RACKS , BEHIND AND UNDERNEATH ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

5. Jan 21, 2022 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

   Result: Pass.

6. May 20, 2021 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

   Result: Pass.

7. Apr 8, 2020 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

     FOOD HANDLER WITH LONG BEARD, INSTRUCTED TO TRIM OR WEAR A BEARD RESTRAINT.

8. Oct 8, 2019 Complaint · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

     - OBSERVED A SLIGHT DEBRIS BUILDUP ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE. MUST DETAIL CLEAN/HAVE SERVICED AND MAINTAIN. -

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     - OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT/DEBRIS INSIDE THE TOILET ROOMS' EXHAUST VENTILATIONS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. -

9. Jan 22, 2019 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE 2 DOOR COOLERS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated Corrected on site

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     FOUND MAINTENANCE TOOLS SUCH AS BROOMS AND MOPS STORED INSIDE MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND STORE PROPERLY. MANAGER CORRECTED ON SITE.

10. Jan 26, 2018 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

      FRONT PREP AREA BACKLINE MEAT REACH IN COOLER DOOR RUBBER GASKETS RIPPED. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE DAMAGED DOOR RUBBER GASKETS.

    • Not serious Minor

      WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

      OBSERVED FOOD BUILD UP/DUST BUILD UP ON WALLS AT REAR PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN REAR PREP AREA WALLS AND MAINTAIN.

    • Not serious Minor

      VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

      WOMENS WASHROOM HANDWASH BOWL COLD AND HOT WATER PUSH BUTTONS NOT CALIBRATED TO 15 SECONDS RUNNING WATER TIME ALSO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK PIPES DRAINING SLOWLY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ROD OUT DRAIN PIPE/CLEAN OUT GREASE TRAP AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK, ALSO MUST RECALIBRATE HANDWASH BOWL PUSH BUTTONS RUNNING WATER TIME TO 15 SECONDS RUNNING WATER.

11. Jan 23, 2017 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

      FRONT PREP COOLERS NOT CLEAN AT BOTTOM SHELVES, ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS, INSTRUCTED MGR TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

12. Jan 13, 2017 Canvass · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Serious (Chicago's middle tier)

      DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

      DISH WASHING FACILITY NOT MAINTAINED. 3-COMP SINK FAUCET COLD WATER NOT SHUTTING OFF, UNABLE TO GET HOT WATER FOR THE WASH COMPARTMENT. INSTRUCTED MGR TO REPAIR FAUCET. MGR TURNED OFF COLD WATER FROM BOTTOM WATER SUPPLY. TO OBTAIN HOT WATER. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7038-030

    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

      DRAWER COOLER DOOR GASKETS IN POOR REPAIR, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

      FRONT PREP COOLERS NOT CLEAN AT BOTTOM SHELVES, ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS, INSTRUCTED MGR TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

13. Jan 13, 2016 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

      INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE ICE CHUTE AT THE SODA DISPENSING UNIT TO REMOVE GREEN AND BLACK BUILDUP.

    • Not serious Minor

      FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

      DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOORS UNDER THE FOOD STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS BUILDUP AND MAINTAIN.

    • Not serious Minor

      VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

      THE EXPOSED HAND SINK IN THE REAR IS SLOW DRAINING. MUST CONTACT A PLUBMER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

14. Feb 18, 2015 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

      CLEAN FLOORS BEHIND FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, REAR AND WALK-IN COOLER.

15. Feb 9, 2015 Canvass · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Serious (Chicago's middle tier)

      DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

      3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED. WHEN RELEASING WATER FROM ONE COMPARTMENT, WATER BACKS UP INTO THE OTHER COMPARTMENTS DUE TO WATER DRAINGING TO SLOW. MUST REPAIR.

    • Not serious Minor

      FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

      CLEAN FLOORS BEHIND FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, REAR AND WALK-IN COOLER.

16. May 2, 2014 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

      OBSERVED A MISSING LIGHT BULB INSIDE OF THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING.

17. Aug 13, 2013 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
    • Serious Critical

      HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA

      OBSERVED NO HAND TOWELS AVAILABLE AT EITHER OF THE TWO EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS, AND NO HAND SOAP WAS AVAILABLE AT THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT PROVIDED SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT BOTH SINKS AT MY REQUEST. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL HANDSINKS AT ALL TIMES WITH SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS FOR PROPER HANDWASHING. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

    • Serious Critical

      PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090

      PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION FROM REPORT #1354017 ON 8/1/13 NOT CORRECTED: 18/01 - OBSERVED LIVE FRUIT FLIES ON THE WALLS, CEILING AND BOXES OF STOCK IN THE DINING ROOM, RESTROOMS AND FOOD PREP AREAS. APPROXIMATELY 20 LIVE FRUIT FLIES WERE OBSERVED IN THESE AREAS. THE LAST PEST INSPECTION REPORT FROM ANDERSON WAS DATED 7/30/13. ANDERSON PEST CONTROL TECHNICIAN ARRIVED ONSITE AT 12:30PM TO CONDUCT A PEST CONTROL INSPECTION. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-42-090.

    • Not serious Serious (Chicago's middle tier)

      NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

      SEE VIOLATION #14.

    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

      DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE LINE PREP COOLERS AND WIRE STORAGE RACKS ABOVE THE SINKS AND PREP TABLES IN THE REAR PREP AREA.

    • Not serious Minor

      FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

      DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHT THE ESTABLISHMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE CONDITIONS.

18. Aug 1, 2013 Canvass · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
    • Serious Critical

      FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

      FACILITIES DO NOT MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED THE LINE PREP COOLER NEXT TO THE SANDWICH OVEN WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 43.7F. THE UNIT WAS USED TO STORE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS BLUE CHEESE AND CUT TOMATOES. ALL POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED IN THE COOLER WERE AT A PROPER TEMPERATURE. UNIT TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 40F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

    • Not serious Serious (Chicago's middle tier)

      NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

      OBSERVED LIVE FRUIT FLIES ON THE WALLS AND STORAGE IN THE REAR AND FRONT PREP AREAS AND IN THE DINING ROOM. 21 LIVE FRUIT FLIES WERE OBSERVED IN THESE AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

      DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE LINE PREP COOLERS.

19. Jun 12, 2012 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

      MEAT SLICER NOT CLEAN ON THE BACK OF BLADE AND BLADE HOUSING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

    • Not serious Minor

      FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

      MISSING GROUT ALONG WALL BASE BEHIND 3-COMP SINK, INSTRUCTED TO GROUT FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

20. Jul 11, 2011 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

      FOLLOWING NEED CLEANING: INTERIOR LEDGE OF MOST COOLERS AT FRONT PREP AREA, INTERIOR OF CABINETS FOR GARBAGE BINS, COMPRESSORS OF SMALL COOLERS-DUE TO DUST/FOOD DEBRIS. All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.

    • Not serious Minor

      FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

      FLOORS AROUND EQUIPMENT AT FRONT PREP AREA NEED CLEANING, FOOD DEBRIS NOTED. The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.

    • Not serious Minor

      WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

      DUSTY WALLS ABOVE FRONT HANDSINK & TO THE RIGHT OF THE SELF-SERVE SODA DISPENSER MUST BE KEPT CLEAN. The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.

    • Not serious Minor

      PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

      ANY SODA CRATES USED FOR DRY STORAGE RACKS MUST BE REPLACED WITH REGULAR SHELVINGS, FOR EASY ACCESS TO CLEANING/PEST MONITORING. 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.