SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS.

EAT. 87/100

222 W MERCHANDISE MART PLZ · RIVER NORTH, CHICAGO

Last inspected July 10, 2023 · passed

14 of 19 inspections passed, with 6 critical violations on file.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
19
14 passed · 3 w/ conditions · 2 failed
VIOLATIONS
39
includes 6 critical
RECORDS COVER
13 YEARS
since Jan 2010

INSPECTION HISTORY

JUL 10
2023
PASSED
3 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES IN GLUEBOARD NEAR WATER BOILER TANK. FACILITY MUST REMOVE DEAD INSECTS.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED AN ACCUMILATION OF FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR BETWEEN PREP-LINE UNITS. FACILITY MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED UNNECESSARY/UNUSED ITEMS IN THE FACILITY SOTRAGE CLOSET. FACILITY MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY/UNUSED ITEMS.

JUL 25
2022
PASSED
1 violation
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON WALK-IN COOLER DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

MAY 3
2021
PASSED
3 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

MUST REPAIR LOOSE FITTING LIDS ON 2 WHITE DEEP FREEZERS IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

CRITICALSanitation
SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED

MUST DETAIL CLEAN TOP OF GREASE TRAP UNDER 3-COMP SINK, RUST PRESENT. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST CLEAN FOOD DBERIS FROM FLOOR IN FRONT PREP AND IN DRY STORAGE CLOSET, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

FEB 19
2020
PASSED
3 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED LOOSE FITTING LIDS ON 2 CHEST FREEZERS LOCATED IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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

OBSERVED A CUTTING BOARD ON MAIN PREP LINE WITH DEEP GROOVES AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH, CLEANABLE CUTTING SURFACES.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED A BURNT OUT LIGHT BULB IN THE CEILING LIGHTS ABOVE THE WALK IN COOLER LOCATED IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

APR 11
2019
PASSED
2 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

INTERIOR OF PREP COOLER AT FRONT SERVICE LINE NOT CLEANED PROPERLY, FOOD DEBRIS AND STAINS NOTED, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

DAMAGED WALL NEXT TO REAR PREP TABLE WITH CHIPPED PAINT, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A DURABLE EASY TO CLEAN SURFACE.

show all 19 inspections →
AUG 8
2018
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
2 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY IMPLEMENTED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE TRAINING ON EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF COMPLETION ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION: 7-38-012(A), NO CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALSanitation
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED EXISTING BODILY FLUID CLEAN UP PROCEDURE NOT EQUIVALENT TO CODE REQUIREMENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEAN UP PROCEDURE AND MAINTAIN ALL REQUIRED CLEAN UP MATERIALS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION: 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.

OCT 24
2017
PASSED
0 violations
MAR 23
2017
PASSED
0 violations
MAR 14
2017
FAILED
1 violation
DETAILS
SERIOUSSanitation
FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION

OBSERVED ICE MACHINE UNCLEAN ON INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE WHERE ICE IS MADE AND HELD FOR CUSTOMER CONSUMPTION. OBSERVED ORANGE MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE ON BACK WALL OF ICE MACHINE AND HEAVY DUST ACCUMULATION ON FILTERS AND PANELS OF ICE MACHINE. INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF AICE MACHINE NEED TO BE CLEANED IN DETAIL AND MAINTAINED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005 (A)

AUG 24
2016
PASSED
2 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

IN USE CHEST FREEZER DOOR INTERIOR DAMAGED, PLASTIC COVER TORN FROM DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE/REPAIR CHEST FREEZER DOOR.

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

OBSERVED SLIGHT CALCIUM BUILD UP ON ICE CHUTE OF SODA MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE/ICE CHUTE AT SODA MACHINE.

MAR 4
2016
PASSED
3 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

OBSERVED FOOD BUILD UP ON SHELVES AT FRONT PREP AREA AND INSIDE PREP AREA REACH IN COOLERS DOOR RUBBER GASKETS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SHELVES/COOLERS GASKETS.

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

OBSERVED FOOD/DIRT BUILD UP INSIDE FRONT PREP AREA FLOOR DRAIN. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAIN AND MAINTAIN.

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

REAR PREP AREA CEILING LIGHT COVERS (X2) NOT COMPLETELY ATTACHED TO CEILING. MUST REATTACH CEILING LIGHT COVERS TO CEILING.

FEB 9
2015
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
3 violations
DETAILS
SERIOUSOther
* INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS

FOUND NO PREVIOUS INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FROM REPORT #1460093 DATED 5/27/14 DISPLAYED IN PLAIN VIEW FOR THE CUSTOMER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT SUMMARY REPORT MUST BE POSTED IN PLAIN VIEW FOR THE CUSTOMER ON SITE. CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS 7-42-010(B). NEW SUMMARY REPORT ISSUED TO POST.

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

MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR WALLS AND BOTTOM SHELVE OF THE PREP COOLER IN THE FRONT SERVING /PREP AREA(WITH FOOD DEBRIS)AND MAINTAIN. ALSO CLEAN IN DETAIL THE MOP SINK AND MAINTAIN.

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

MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL THE FLOOR INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER ,UNDER THE WIRE RACK SHELVINGS AND MAINTAIN.

MAY 27
2014
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
4 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALFood Temperature
POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF THE FOLLOWING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD ITEMS INSIDE SERVICE COOLER TO BE IMPROPER AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION: ROAST BEEF 46.7F, HAM 46.4F, TURKEY 52.7F, MOTADELLA 45.3F AND ASSORTED DELI MEATS PACKAGED TOGETHER 57.4F,TAPOCOLLA(DELI MEAT) 46.8F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 20 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $60.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. INSTRUCTED TO MONITOR FOOD TEMPERATURES AT ALL TIMES ESPECIALLY DURING PREPPING. CITATION ISSUED FOR CRITICAL VIOLATION #7-38-005(A).

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

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH HEAVY EQUIPMENT. MUST ALSO CLEAN FLOOR DRAIN AT THE REAR PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.

MINORFood Temperature
REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

NOTED SOME COOLERS WITH NO STEM THERMOMETERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE STEM THERMOMETER ON ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS FOR BETTER TEMPERATURE MONITORING.

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

NOTED CLUTTER AT THE READ DRY STORAGE BY THE EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, ORGANIZE OR REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES FROM THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

AUG 1
2013
PASSED
1 violation
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

MISSING GROUT AT KITCHEN FLOOR TILE UNDER 3-COMP SINK, INSTRUCTED TO GROUT AND MAINTAIN. FOOD DEBRIS NOTED BEHIND CHEST FREEZER, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

APR 4
2012
PASSED
0 violations
FEB 10
2012
PASSED
4 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

THE CHEST FREEZER LID (CLOSE TO THE ENTRY DOOR OF REAR PREP STATION), IS IN POOR REPAIR (INSULATION EXPOSED)-MUST REPLACE. All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.

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

THE DOOR GASKETS OF SMALL COOLERS AT FRONT PREP AREA NEED DETAILED CLEANING, DUE TO GREASE/DIRT/FOOD STAINS. All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.

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

FLOORS OF WALK-IN COOLER ALONG WALLBASES & AROUND WHEELS OF CARTS; UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK; & UNDER ICE CREAM STATION MUST BE KEPT CLEAN. The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

THE ICE CREAM SINK IS SLOW-DRAINING, MUST FIX & MAINTAIN. Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.

JUL 7
2011
PASSED
0 violations
JUN 29
2011
FAILED
4 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALPest Activity
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. OBSERVED LIVE FRUIT FLIES IN BOTH PREP AREAS AND FOUNTAIN POP STATION ON THE WALLS, CEILING, BOXES AND EQUIPMENT. OVER 30 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.

MINORSanitation
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. DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE PREP COOLERS.

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

The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER THE STORAGE LOCKERS. DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOOR DRAINS TO ELIMINATE PEST HARBORAGE.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

REPAIR THE LEAK AT THE VALVE UNDER THE SOUP CABINET.

JAN 7
2010
PASSED
3 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
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. Prep line cooler(by oven)rubber door gasket ripped. Must repair or replace damaged cooler gasket.

MINORSanitation
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. Observed dust build up on prep coolers condensers. Must clean and maintain equipment.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. 1-compartment sink faucet leaking at base. Must repair and maintain.

Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health. We'd love to link you straight to this restaurant's record — turns out Chicago considers that a luxury. The full dataset is what's on offer →

NEARBY IN RIVER NORTH