POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS.
5304 N CLARK ST · UPTOWN, CHICAGO
17 of 23 inspections passed, 3 failed, 3 passed with conditions. 10 critical violations across the record.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTION HISTORY
NOV 122025PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED EMPTY BOXES AND CLUTTER IN THE RAEAR STORAGE AREA IN FRONT OF REAR EXIT DOOR. INSRUCTED TO REMOVE EMPTY BOXES AND OTHER ITEMS TO ORGANIZE AREA.
OBSERVED EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS MUST RENEW/COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
APR 112025PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
4-501.12 INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARD ON TOP OF (2) PREP COOLER IN THE PREP/SERVICE LINE.
4-602.13 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS WITH MOLDLIKE BUILD-UP INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER.
5-205.15 INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SLOW DRAINING HAND SINK IN REAR DISHWASHIING AREA.
6-201.11 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT ESPECIALLY ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS.
APR 32025FAILED6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED OVER 50 SMALL LIVE FLIES ON WALLS AND CEILING THROUGHOUT BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREAS. RECOMMEND TO CONTACT LICENSED PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (A) CITATION ISSUED
INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE PLASTIC SODA CRATES OR MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER RAISED SHELVES 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.
INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARD ON TOP OF (2) PREP COOLER IN THE PREP/SERVICE LINE.
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS WITH MOLDLIKE BUILD-UP INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER.
INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SLOW DRAINING HAND SINK IN REAR DISHWASHIING AREA.
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT ESPECIALLY ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS.
APR 52024PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
Observed torn and damaged gasket on standing cooler in basement. Instructed manager to replace with a tight sealing gasket.
Instructed to refinish or replace cutting boards with deep seams and stain infront prep area (on top of prep coolers)
Observed missing grout between tiles in the prep area next to the oven and ice cream freezer. Instructed manager to repair and maintain the floor to be easily cleanable.
Instructed to detail clean and maintain floors along the walls and in all corners in basement storage area.
FEB 242023PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE BOTTOM OF PREP TABLES LOCATED IN THE REAR PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. (NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES)
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN FRONT AND REAR PREPARATION AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS AND MAINTAIN THEM.
show all 23 inspections →
MAY 252022PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
PREP COOLERS SANDWICH PREP CUTTING BOARDS SURFACES STAINED/PITTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR/REPLACE SAID, CUTTING BOARDS. CUTTING BOARDS SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN.
THE BASEMENT FLOOR IS CLUTTERED ALONG THE WALLS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS OR REMOVE ITEMS.
SOME CEILING TILES ARE STAINED IN THE DISH ROOM. MUST REPLACE SAID UNCLEAN/STAINED CEILING TILES.
MAY 132021PASSED6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OUTER OPENINGS NOT PROTECTED. FRONT WOOD DOOR WITH 1/4" TO 1/2" GAP BETWEEN DOOR AND FRAME.MUST REPAIR ISSUE TO MINIMIZE PEST ENTRY
WASTE PIPE ABOVE FOOD SHELVES MUST BE ENCASED OR RELOCATE FOOD ITEMS. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE. BASEMENT AREA
MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS.
FLOOR DRAIN UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK SLOWLY DRAINING,REPAIR CAUSE
GRIMES INSIDE FLOOR DRAINS IN PREP AREA AND UNDER THE SODA SELF SERVE DISPENSER IN DINING AREA,CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
NO LIGHT FIXTURE INSIDE THE MOP SINK STORAGE,STORAGE IS DARK.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
AUG 282019PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED FOOD RELATED ITEMS INCLUDING TO GO CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR OF SECTION OF BASEMENT NOT DESIGNED TO STORE FOOD. STORE ALL FOOD AND FOOD RELATED ITEMS IN DRY STORAGE AREA AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE CREAM COOLER UCLEAN WITH FOOD SPILLS. MUCT CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF ICE CREAM COOLER.
DEC 242018PASS W/ CONDITIONS4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILTY TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A PROCEDURE /PLAN AND TO MAINTAIN ANY APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED CABINETS FOR GARBAGE AND UNDER SODA MACHINE UNCLEAN WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF CABINETS AND MAINTAIN
OBSERVED INTERIOR OF REACH IN REFRIGERATOR UCLEAN IN BASEMENT. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF FREEZERS.
REPAIR OUTLET COVERS ON NORTH WALL IN CUSTOMER AREA.
JUN 152017PASSED6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
RUSTY SHELVES INSIDE THE REACH-IN COOLLER BY THE REAR DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE SAID SHELVES.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE
INTERIOR OF REACH-IN COOLER WITH GRIMES AROUND THE BASE AND CORNERS OF THE UNIT.EXCESS ICE AND ICE CREAM INSIDE AT PANELS AND BOTTOM OF THE ICE CREAM CHEST FREEZER,NEED TO CLEAN,SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. WATER AT DIPPER WELL DIRTY FROM USED SCOOPS,CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
MISSING GROUT BETWEEN FLOOR TILE AT REAR PREP DISH ROOM AREAS,INSTRUCTED TO RE GROUT SAID TILES.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.EXCESS SLIME INSIDE THE FLOOR DRAIN/DRAIN PIPES UNDER THE SELF SERVE POP DISPENSER IN DINING AREA. REMOVE DEBRIS FROM OTHER FLOOR DRAINS ON PREMISES. WATER ON FLOOR UNDER COOLER UNITS NORTH SITE, REROUTE DRAIN PIPES INTO A FLOOR DRAIN.
GRIME ON WALLS UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK,NEED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
MUST INSTALL A GREASE TRAP AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. METAL FLOOR TRAP COVER NOTED IN THE REAR PREP AREA HOWEVER, NO GREASE TRAP LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT ATTACHED TO FIRST FLOOR COVER. MUST BE ABLE TO SHOW EXISTENCE OF GREASE TRAP
FLOOR DRAINS UNDER ONE COMPARTMENT SINK AND UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK SLOWLY DRAINING,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR CAUSE,ALSO FOUL ODOR(SEWAGE GAS)THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES,REPAIR CAUSE
MAY 182017PASS W/ CONDITIONS8 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
FOUND SMALL TWO DOOR PREP COOLER NOT MAINTAINED,RIGHT DOOR NOT ABLE TO CLOSE TIGHT FITTED TO UNIT,INTERIOR AIR TEMP OF 49.F TO 50.F. UNIT IN QUESTION IS LOCATED BY THE SANDWICHES OVEN BEHIND FRONT COUNTER.POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD (SHREDDED LETTUCE) WAS STORED INSIDE THE UNIT.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR DOOR AND UNIT MUST MAINTAIN AIR TEMP OF F AND BELOW. TAGGED UNIT" HELD FOR INSPECTION" DO NOT USE. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-005(A)
FOUND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD STORED INSIDE THE SMALL PREP COOLER SHREDDED LETTUCE AT TEMP OF 47.7F; 48.9F; AND 49.5F.SAID FOOD ITEMS MUST MAINTAIN TEMP OF 40F AND BELOW.POUNDS 7.5,VALUE 6.36. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED LETTUCE. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-005(A)
RUSTY SHELVES INSIDE THE REACH-IN COOLLER BY THE REAR DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE SAID SHELVES.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE
INTERIOR OF REACH-IN COOLER WITH GRIMES AROUND THE BASE AND CORNERS OF THE UNIT.EXCESS ICE AND ICE CREAM INSIDE AT PANELS AND BOTTOM OF THE ICE CREAM CHEST FREEZER,NEED TO CLEAN,SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. WATER AT DIPPER WELL DIRTY FROM USED SCOOPS,CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
MISSING GROUT BETWEEN FLOOR TILE AT REAR PREP DISH ROOM AREAS,INSTRUCTED TO RE GROUT SAID TILES.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.EXCESS SLIME INSIDE THE FLOOR DRAIN/DRAIN PIPES UNDER THE SELF SERVE POP DISPENSER IN DINING AREA. REMOVE DEBRIS FROM OTHER FLOOR DRAINS ON PREMISES. WATER ON FLOOR UNDER COOLER UNITS NORTH SITE, REROUTE DRAIN PIPES INTO A FLOOR DRAIN.
GRIME ON WALLS UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK,NEED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
MUST INSTALL A GREASE TRAP AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. METAL FLOOR TRAP COVER NOTED IN THE REAR PREP AREA HOWEVER, NO GREASE TRAP LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT ATTACHED TO FIRST FLOOR COVER. MUST BE ABLE TO SHOW EXISTENCE OF GREASE TRAP
FLOOR DRAINS UNDER ONE COMPARTMENT SINK AND UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK SLOWLY DRAINING,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR CAUSE,ALSO FOUL ODOR(SEWAGE GAS)THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES,REPAIR CAUSE
MAR 312017PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
METAL SHELVING UNDER FRONT PREP TABLE AND UNDER TOASTER OVEN WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. MUST NOT USE PAPER LABELS TAPED TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE COOLERS. COOLERS MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL FRONT PREP COOLERS, REAR TALL REACH-IN COOLER AND BASEMENT TALL REACH-IN FREEZER FOUND DIRTY WITH FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. RUSTY SHELVING INSIDE THE REAR TALL REACH-IN COOLER. MUST REPLACE OR REMOVE RUST.
FLOOR UNDER BASEMENT BAG IN BOX SODA SYSYTEM DIRTY WITH DEBRIS. ALL FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT FRONT AND REAR PREP DIRTY WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
METAL WALL AT THE MOP SINK DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. DAMAGED TILE BASEBOARD COVING AT THE MOP SINK. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR.
BOTH EXPOSED HAND SINKS FOUND DIRTY AND WITH ACCUMULATE FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. MUST INSTALL A GREASE TRAP AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. METAL FLOOR TRAP COVER NOTED IN THE REAR PREP AREA HOWEVER, NO GREASE TRAP LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT ATTACHED TO FIRST FLOOR COVER.
JUL 252016PASSED7 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
LABEL ALL BULK DRY FOOD CONTAINER AND MAINTAIN.
MUST DEFROST THE CHEST FREEZER WITH HEAVY ICE ACCUMULATED.
CLEAN IN DETAIL THE BOTTOM SHELVE OF THE REACH IN FREEZER IN THE BASEMENT AND THE ICE CREAM FREEZER IN THE FRONT SERVING AREA AND MAINTAIN.
STANDING WATER IN THE BASEMENT BY THE STAIR. INSTRUCTED TO DRY THE FLOOR TO PREVENT INSECTS HARBORAGE. MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL THE FLOOR INSIDE THE CABINET UNDER THE SODA MACHINE ,FLOOR THRU-OUT THE BASEMENT ALONG THE WALL BASE ALL CORNER,FLOOR THRU-OUT THE PREP IN THE FRONT AND REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA UNDER ALL COOLERS, 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS AND MAINTAIN. MUST ELEVATE ALL BOXES,ITEM/ARTICLES THRU OUT BASEMENT AND MAINTAIN.
SEAL THE GAP AROUND THE PIPES AND CONDUITS IN THE REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA.
CLUTTER IN THE REAR DISH WASHING AREA,GARBAGE, EMPTY BOXES,ETC. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, DISPOSE THE GARBAGE AND EMPTY BOXES TO PREVENT RODENT/INSECTS HARBORAGE.
NOTED EMPLOYEES PREPARING SANDWICHES WITH 2 INCHES BEARD. MUST WEAR A BEARD RESTRAINT TO CONFINE THE BEARD HAIR.
NOV 42015PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE EXTERIOR HAND SINK IN THE REAR TO REMOVE FOOD SPLATTER/BUILDUP AND MAINTAIN.
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOORS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER UNDER THE SODA RACK TO REMOVE LIQUID AND FOOD BUILDUP.
FEB 192015PASSED3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
INSTRUCTED TO DEFROST DEEP FREEZER IN THE BASEMENT TO REMOVE FROST BUILDUP ALONG THE SIDES OF FREEZER- MAINTAIN REPLACE RUSTED FOOD STORAGE SHELVES IN THE REFRIGERATOR BEHIND THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE DISHROOM AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 DEAD ROACHES ON THE FLOOR IN THE 2ND BASEMENT WHERE FOOD IS NOT BEING STORED. NO ACTIVE ROACHES WERE OBSERVED AT TIME OF INSPECTION. RECOMMEND ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS AND MAINTAIN.
REPAIR SLOW DRAINING HAND SINK IN THE DISHROOM AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED BUILDUP IN THE FLOOR DRAIN UNDER THE SODA FOUNTAIN MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN DRAIN AND MAINTAIN. REMOVE DUST BUILDUP FROM THE CEILING VENT IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM AND CLEAN REGULARLY.
MAR 252014PASS W/ CONDITIONS3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
SEWAGE WASTEWATER IS BACKING UP VIA FLOOR DRAINS ONTO FLOOR IN DISH ROOM/REAR PREP AREA. FLOOR DRAINS UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS AND ONE COMPARTMENT SINK ARE CLOGGED,BASSINETS AREA FULL WITH WASTE WATER,GREASE,FOOD ETC. WHEN WATER IS RELEASED FROM COMPARTMENTS OR FAUCETS ARE TURNED ON WASTEWATER SPILLS ON FLOORS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR CAUSE OF THE SEWAGE ISSUE AND TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS. PLUMBER ON PREMISES,ABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. FLOOR DRAINS ARE UNCLOGGED. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-030
FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE THE ICE CREAM CHEST FREEZER,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.ICE SHUTTER DISPENSER AT POP MACHINE WITH A PINK MINERAL BUILD-UP,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
DUST AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT AREA,INSTRUCTED TO SWEEP AND MAINTAIN.DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER THE COOLERS,ALONG BASEBOARD WALLS AND CORNERS,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.DEBRIS AND SLIME ON FLOOR DRAINS UNDER THE ICE MACHINE,AND UNDER THE FRONT EQUIPMENT, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
JAN 312013PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED PREMISES USING PLASTIC CRATES TO ELEVATE CARDBOARD BOXES OFF BASEMENT FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL PLASTIC CRATES, MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS 6" OFF FLOOR, MUST BE ABLE TO CLEAN FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND ALL ITEMS.
THE FOLLOWING NOT CLEAN- OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE REACH IN COOLERS DOOR RUBBER GASKETS, ACCUMULATED FOOD BUILD UP INSIDE UNUSED REACH IN COOLER (FRONT PREP LINE AT END). MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL UNCLEAN EQUIPMENT.
OBSERVED FOOD/DIRT BUILD UP ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS UNDER EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREAS AND INSIDE FLOOR DRAINS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR AND FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT.
OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTIALTION COVER AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK ROOM. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN VENTILATION COVER.
1-COMPARTMENT SINK DRAIN PIPE DISCONNECTED/MISSING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SINK.
FEB 62012FAILED2 violationsDETAILS
THREE COMPARTMENT SINK NOT MAINTAINED NOT ABLE TO RELEASE WATER FROM COMPARTMENTS DUE TO FLOOR DRAIN OVERFLOWS,ALSO WASTE WATER REMAINS AT BASIN OF THE FLOOR DRAIN(NOT COMPLETELY DRAINS) FOUL ODOR,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN GREASE TAP AND FLOOR DRAIN, IF NECESSARY CONTACT PLUMBER.SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-38-030 HOOOO77577-12
REMOVE ICE BUILD-UP INSIDE THE CHEST FREEZER,ALSO FOOD DEBRIS(ICE CREAM). NEED TO CLEAN TOP INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE OF COCA-COLA UNIT. CLEAN AND SANITIZE ICE DISPENSER AT SAME UNIT, PINK MINERAL BUILD-UP.
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 →