Potbelly Sandwich Works

April 17, 2026 · Fail

🪳cooked

official resultFail
resultFail
inspection typeComplaint
failed findings10
critical findings2

Failed findings

handwashing sink blocked or barecritical

Official wording: Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied And Accessible
Inspector note: OBSERVED HAND SINK IN REAR PREP AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE. BASIN WAS COVERED WITH CUTTING BOARD. PIC INSTRUCTED THAT SINK MUST BE ACCESSIBLE AND MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES. PIC REMOVED CUTTING BOARD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
code 10Priority
staff working while sickcritical

Official wording: Procedures For Responding To Vomiting And Diarrheal Events
Inspector note: REFER TO VIOLATION #29.
code 5Priority
toxic chemicals mishandled

Official wording: Compliance With Variance/Specialized Process/Haccp
Inspector note: OBSERVED THE FACILITY UNABLE TO PROVIDE CITY OF CHICAGO APPROVED VARIANCE AND COMPANY POLICY. OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS, AND OR SUPPLIES MUST INCLUDE ADEQUATE SANITIZER THAT ELIMINATES NOROVIRUS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE CITY OF CHICAGO APPROVED VARIANCE AND COMPANY CLEAN-UP POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
code 29
surfaces / setup not up to code

Official wording: Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used
Inspector note: OBSERVED SODA 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.
code 47
plumbing acting up

Official wording: Non-Food/Food Contact Surfaces Clean
Inspector note: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH IN COOLERS AND WALK-IN COOLERSIN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN.
code 49
Sewage & Waste Water Properly Disposed

Inspector note: OBSERVED WASTEWATER BACKING UP IN THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA AND FLOOR DRAINS IN REAR PREP. WHEN WATER IS RELEASED FROM THE 1ST BASIN, IT BACKS UP TO 2ND AND 3RD BASINS. ONCE BASINS EMPTY THE FLOOR DRAINS BACKS UP WASTEWATER ON TO FLOOR THE MANAGER WAS INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
code 52
Toilet Facilities: Properly Constructed, Supplied, & Cleaned

Inspector note: OBSERVED TOILET ROOMS IN NEED OF CLEANING, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
code 53
floors, walls, or ceilings grimy

Official wording: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
Inspector note: OBSERVED IN TOILET ROOM SOAP DISPENSER RIPPED OFF WALL AND LAYING ON SINK INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR WALL RE-ATTACH SOAP DISPENSER AND MAINTAIN • OBSERVED UNDER BEVERAGE/SODA STATION AND DINING ROOM AREAS WITH EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
code 55
Adequate Ventilation & Lighting; Designated Areas Used

Inspector note: OBSERVED IN REAR PRE AND IN TOILET ROOMS VENTILATION VENTS ENCRUSTED WITH DUST INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTENAN.
code 56
Previous Core Violation Corrected

Inspector note: NOTED CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE FROM REPORT #2628297 CONDUCTED ON 12/10/25. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED: (38) 6-202.15: **C** Outer Openings, Protected OUTER OPENINGS NOT PROTECTED. OBSERVED FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR NOT RODENT PROOF WITH 1/2 INCH OPENING ON BOTTOM DOOR. MUST MAKE DOOR RODENT PROOF TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. (#55)6-201.11: **C** Floors, Walls, and Ceilings- Cleanability OBSERVED WALLS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN POOR REPAIR WITH CHIPPING PLASTER, PEELING PAINT: AT THE REAR PREP TABLE/SLICER AREA, AT THE MOP SINK AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.MISSING CEILING TILE ABOVE THE ENTRANCE TO THE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST REPLACE. MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS MATTING FOR FLOORS INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST CORRECT CORE VIOLATIONS BY THE DATE ON THE REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
code 60

What changed since the previous inspection?

Compared with Pass on December 10, 2025: 9 findings appeared for the first time. 1 finding recurred. 2 previous findings did not recur.

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About this record

This record comes from Chicago Department of Public Health. Cooked keeps the official result and wording separate from its plain-English explanation so you can verify what the inspector actually published.

Source: Chicago Data Portal.