POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS.

Chicago Health Dept

222 W MERCHANDISE MART PLZ · RIVER NORTH, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2023.

19 inspections on record since 2010 · Last inspected Jul 2023.

Last inspected Jul 2023. Records may not reflect current conditions.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

JUL 2023

INSPECTION HISTORY

JUL 10

2023

PASS 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

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

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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

JUL 25

2022

PASS 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

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

PASS 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Minor Sanitation

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.

Critical Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Food 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

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & 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.

Critical Sanitation

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

PASS · 0 violations

MAR 23

2017

PASS · 0 violations

MAR 14

2017

FAIL 1 violation

Serious Sanitation

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

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Facility 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

Serious Other

* 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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Food 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).

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Food 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.

Minor Sanitation

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

PASS 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

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

PASS · 0 violations

FEB 10

2012

PASS 4 violations

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Plumbing & 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

PASS · 0 violations

JUN 29

2011

FAIL 4 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest 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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Pest 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.

Minor Plumbing & 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

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Plumbing & 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.

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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