POTBELLY SANDWICH SHOP.

Chicago Health Dept

1560 N WELLS ST · OLD TOWN, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Apr 2026).

19 inspections on record since 2014 · Last inspected Apr 2026 · 1 critical violation in the last 12 months.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

APR 2026

INSPECTION HISTORY

APR 30

2026

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED THE CUTTING CUTTING BOARD AT DRESS ONE AND THE CUTTING BOARD AT THE BACK LINE WITH DEEP CUTTING GROOVES AND WORN ON EDGES. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF FOODS.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED THE AIR VENTS OVER THE SERVICE LINE IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING FROM DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

AUG 12

2025

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 2 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

NOTED NO ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED AT ALL TIMES AND ALSO THE PERSON IN CHARGE MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE BY NEXT INSPECTION (UPON BEING INSPECTED) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

NOTED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE PROPER, RAISED SHELVING TO STORE FOOD CONTAINERS 6" OFF FLOOR.

APR 3

2025

PASS 5 violations

Minor Pest Activity

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED THE SHELVING UNDER THE LARGE TOASTER WITH A BUILD UP OF FOOD DEBRIS WHERE ITEMS ARE STORED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT ACTIVITY.

Minor Food Temperature

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLING UNIT UNDER SHELVING WITH A BUILD UP OF DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED THE SODA DISPENCING UNIT WITH A BUILD UP OF SODA SPLATTER AND DUST UNDER BASE ABOVE THE DISPENCING HOLES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF ITEMS DISPENSED.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED THE VENT ATTACHMENT OVER THE UTILITY SINK IN THE REAR LOOSE AND HANGING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED A SMALL BUILD UP OF DEBR, FOOD DEBRIS AND FOOD SPLATTER ON THE FLOOR AND WALL, FLOOR AND SHELVING AREA LOCATED AT THE SOUP WARMING UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

JUL 25

2024

PASS 1 violation

Minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED THE DRAINS IN THE REAR DISH WASHING AREA WITH A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND GRIME. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED THE FLOOR IN THE REAR DISH WASHING AREA WITH A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND DEBRIS UNDER THE METAL SHELVING AND THE SINK AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT FOOD SERVICE AREA WITH A BUILD UP OF FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN UNDER AND AROUND ALL COOKING AND NON COOKING EQUIPMENT AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT FEEDING AND HARBORING.

AUG 23

2023

PASS 1 violation

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

SINGLE USE CUP WITHOUT A HANDLE USED AS A SEASONING SCOOP. FACILITY MUST REPLACE WITH A SCOOP THAT HAS A HANDLE ON IT.

show all 19 inspections →

JUN 2

2022

PASS 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED 2 CUTTING BOARDS IN FRONT PREP AREA COVERED IN DEEP GROOVES AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH, CLEANABLE CUTTING SURFACES.

JAN 5

2021

PASS 5 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

MUST REPAIR BROKEN DOOR GASKET ON 2-DOOR COOLER IN REAR, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST DETAIL CLEAN WATER AND LOOSE FOOD DEBRIS FROM INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACE OF PREP COOLERS BEHIND FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

MUST PROVIDE COVERED TRASH CANS IN BOTH GENDER NEUTRAL TOILET ROOMS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST DETAIL CLEAN EXCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION FROM CEILING VENTS THROUGHOUT FACILITY, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST DETAIL CLEAN LOOSE FOOD DEBRIS FROM FLOOR UNDER AND BEHIND HEAVY EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

MAR 3

2020

PASS 3 violations

Minor Food Temperature

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

MUST PROVIDE VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETER AT THE 2-DOOR PRE COOLER LOCATED NEXT TO HOT HOLDING UNIT.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS IN REAR PREP/DISHEASHING AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS INSIDE CUSTOMERS WASHROOMS.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

NOV 19

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 2 violations 1 CRITICAL

Serious Other

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

BAGS OF SLICED DELI MEAT NOT DATED, INSTRUCTED TO DATE AND MAINTAIN.NO CITATION ISSUED

Critical Employee Hygiene

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED

MINOR LEAK NOTED UNDER REAR HAND WASH SINK, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

FEB 6

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 7 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED FOOD HANDLER THAT PERSON IN CHARGE SHOULD BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Food Temperature

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE(2:40 P.M.) WHILE TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (BEEF, CHICKEN, SOUP) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION.7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED .

Critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED FACILITY WITH A CURRENT VOMIT AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO ALSO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE CLEAN UP KIT THAT CORRESPONDS WITH PROCEDURE. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Serious Other

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

OBSERVED TCS FOODS (SLICED TURKEY, PREPARED TUNA, SLICED TOMATOES) HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITH OUT DISCARD DATE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATE FOR ANY TCS FOODS HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005

Minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED FOOD HANDLER TO PROVIDE.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR COFFEE BREWER AND COCA COLA DISPENSER LOCATED IN SIT DOWN RESTAURANT AREA. A BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MUST BE LOCATED SO THAT IT MAY BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

FOUND NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.

MAR 26

2018

PASS 1 violation

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

OBSERVED LEAK AT FRONT PREP HAND SINK FAUCET. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.

APR 6

2017

PASS 2 violations

Minor Pest Activity

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

FOUND DIRTY FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT. MUST CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT PEST BREEDING. FOUND FOOD DEBRI UNDER REFRIGERATION UNITS AT THE SANDWICH PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN,SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED DIRTY WASH CLOTHS ON A COUNTER TOP IN THE REAR. MUST ALWAYS HAVE WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION UNTIL USED.

DEC 8

2016

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 4 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES STORED INSIDE THE 2 DOOR FOOD PREP COOLER. OBSERVED DELI MEAT AT 48.7F,DICED CHICKEN AT 50.1F.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN ALL COLD FOODS AT 40F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED BROKEN GASKET AT THE 2 DOOR FOOD PREP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE GASKET AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

DETAIL CLEAN MANUAL CAN OPENER AND CUTTING BOARDS AT FRONT FOOD PREP LINE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Pest Activity

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

ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS AT LEAST 6" INCHES OFF THE FLOOR AND AWAY FROM THE WALL AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.

APR 12

2016

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

REMOVE ICE ACCUMULATION INSIDE THE ICE CREAM FREEZER AT PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

REMOVE DUSTS ACCUMULATIONS ON HOOD ABOVE THE OVEN AND ON VENTILATION COVERS INSIDE THE TOILET ROOMS AND MAINTAIN.

MAR 13

2015

PASS · 0 violations

JUN 19

2014

PASS · 0 violations

JUN 6

2014

PASS · 0 violations

JUN 5

2014

FAIL 4 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Other

WATER SOURCE: SAFE, HOT & COLD UNDER CITY PRESSURE

NO HOT WATER AVAILABLE ON PREMISES. MANAGEMENT IN PROCESS OF REPLACING THE HOT WATER HEATER. MUST PROVIDE HOT WATER ABOVE 110F FOR PROPER DISHWASHING. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Minor Sanitation

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

DETAIL CLEAN THE CONSTRUCTION DUST FROM ALL HORIZONTAL SURFACES AND CLEAN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND DRAINBOARDS.

Minor Sanitation

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

DETAIL CLEAN THE CONSTRUCTION DUST AND DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES.

Minor Food Temperature

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

NO PROBE THERMOMETER AVAILABLE ON PREMISES TO TAKE FOOD TEMPERATURES. MUST PROVIDE.

JUN 2

2014

FAIL 5 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

WATER SOURCE: SAFE, HOT & COLD UNDER CITY PRESSURE

INADEQUATE HOT WATER PROVIDED TO THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. OBSERVED HOT WATER WITH A TEMPERATURE OF 97.8F AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HOT WATER ABOVE 110F AT ALL TIMES FOR PROPER WASHING OF DISHES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Minor Sanitation

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

DETAIL CLEAN THE CONSTRUCTION DUST FROM ALL HORIZONTAL SURFACES AND CLEAN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND DRAINBOARDS.

Minor Sanitation

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

DETAIL CLEAN THE CONSTRUCTION DUST AND DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES.

Minor Food Temperature

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

NO PROBE THERMOMETER AVAILABLE ON PREMISES TO TAKE FOOD TEMPERATURES. MUST PROVIDE.

Minor Facility Condition

NO SMOKING REGULATIONS

NO "NO SMOKING" SIGN PROVIDED AT THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. MUST PROVIDE.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-07-05. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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