Chicago
42
BEAT

Potbelly Sandwich Works LLC

277 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611 · Streeterville · Restaurant · High risk
BEAT
42/100

Mixed record — 13 of 20 inspections passed

Inspections
20
13 passed
Last Inspected
2025-12-31
Pass Rate
65%
3 failures
Score
42/100
BEAT
11 consecutive passes, most recently 2025-12-31
Failed 3 inspections (2017, 2015, 2013)
Employee Hygiene issues found across 8 inspections
Pest Activity issues found across 5 inspections
Issues were corrected on re-inspection
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Sanitation serious 25×
🧼
Employee Hygiene critical
🐀
Pest Activity critical
📋
Documentation & Training critical
🔧
Facility Condition minor
🌡
Food Temperature critical
📌
Other serious
🚰
Plumbing & Waste minor
2025-12-31 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 3
critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE THROUGHOUT INSPECTION. CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER SHOWED UP SHORTLY AFTER INSPECTION BEGAN, HOWEVER CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER LEFT BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANA...

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR PREP BLOCKED BY GIANT DISH. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE HAND WASHING SINK IS ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. EMPLOYEE REMOVED DISH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

serious Employee Hygiene

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED BROKEN TILES ON WALL UNDERNEATH REAR HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.

2024-12-03 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 5
critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF REPORTING AGREEMENT. PRIORITY F...

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWEL IN THE AT THE HAND-SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT PAPER TOWELS MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HAND SINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED PAPER TOWEL FOR HAND SINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION PRIORITY FOUNDA...

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN WALK IN COOLER UNDER SHELVING RACKS, BEHIND AND UNDERNEATH ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT FRONT & REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED LIGHT SHIELD OPEN IN REAR PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO SECURLY CLOSED AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGER WITH NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.

2024-03-26 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 5
critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

No hand soap provided for rear prep/dish washing area hand wash sink, instructed to provide. priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c)

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

No paper towels provided at rear prep/ dish washing area hand wash sink, instructed to provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c)

minor Food Temperature

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

Improper thawing method, found frozen chicken placed in prep sink at room temp to thaw, instructed to manager to thaw frozen food according to health code.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Walk-in cooler walls and fan cover with dirt and dust build-up, instructed to clean and maintain.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Floors not clean behind grease trap and 3-comp sink, food debris and accumulated grease noted. Instructed to clean and maintain.

2023-04-26 Pass Canvass
2
minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED DIRTY PLUMBING FIXTURES IN BOTH TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN DNA MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN WALK IN COOLER UNDER SHELVING RACKS , BEHIND AND UNDERNEATH ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

2022-01-21 Pass Canvass

No violations found.

2021-05-20 Pass Canvass

No violations found.

2020-04-08 Pass Canvass
1
minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

FOOD HANDLER WITH LONG BEARD, INSTRUCTED TO TRIM OR WEAR A BEARD RESTRAINT.

2019-10-08 Pass Complaint
2
serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

- OBSERVED A SLIGHT DEBRIS BUILDUP ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE. MUST DETAIL CLEAN/HAVE SERVICED AND MAINTAIN. -

minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

- OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT/DEBRIS INSIDE THE TOILET ROOMS' EXHAUST VENTILATIONS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. -

2019-01-22 Pass Canvass
2
serious Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE 2 DOOR COOLERS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FOUND MAINTENANCE TOOLS SUCH AS BROOMS AND MOPS STORED INSIDE MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND STORE PROPERLY. MANAGER CORRECTED ON SITE.

2018-01-26 Pass Canvass
3
minor Sanitation

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

FRONT PREP AREA BACKLINE MEAT REACH IN COOLER DOOR RUBBER GASKETS RIPPED. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE DAMAGED DOOR RUBBER GASKETS.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED FOOD BUILD UP/DUST BUILD UP ON WALLS AT REAR PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN REAR PREP AREA WALLS AND MAINTAIN.

minor Employee Hygiene

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

WOMENS WASHROOM HANDWASH BOWL COLD AND HOT WATER PUSH BUTTONS NOT CALIBRATED TO 15 SECONDS RUNNING WATER TIME ALSO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK PIPES DRAINING SLOWLY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ROD OUT DRAIN PIPE/CLEAN OUT GREASE TRAP AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK, ALSO MU...

2017-01-23 Pass Canvass Re-Inspection
1
minor Sanitation

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

FRONT PREP COOLERS NOT CLEAN AT BOTTOM SHELVES, ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS, INSTRUCTED MGR TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

2017-01-13 Fail Canvass
3
serious Other

DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

DISH WASHING FACILITY NOT MAINTAINED. 3-COMP SINK FAUCET COLD WATER NOT SHUTTING OFF, UNABLE TO GET HOT WATER FOR THE WASH COMPARTMENT. INSTRUCTED MGR TO REPAIR FAUCET. MGR TURNED OFF COLD WATER FROM BOTTOM WATER SUPPLY. TO OBTAIN HOT WATER. SERIOUS...

minor Sanitation

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

DRAWER COOLER DOOR GASKETS IN POOR REPAIR, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

minor Sanitation

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

FRONT PREP COOLERS NOT CLEAN AT BOTTOM SHELVES, ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS, INSTRUCTED MGR TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

2016-01-13 Pass Canvass
3
minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE ICE CHUTE AT THE SODA DISPENSING UNIT TO REMOVE GREEN AND BLACK BUILDUP.

minor Sanitation

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

DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOORS UNDER THE FOOD STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS BUILDUP AND MAINTAIN.

minor Plumbing & Waste

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

THE EXPOSED HAND SINK IN THE REAR IS SLOW DRAINING. MUST CONTACT A PLUBMER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

2015-02-18 Pass Canvass Re-Inspection
1
minor Sanitation

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

CLEAN FLOORS BEHIND FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, REAR AND WALK-IN COOLER.

2015-02-09 Fail Canvass
2
serious Other

DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED. WHEN RELEASING WATER FROM ONE COMPARTMENT, WATER BACKS UP INTO THE OTHER COMPARTMENTS DUE TO WATER DRAINGING TO SLOW. MUST REPAIR.

minor Sanitation

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

CLEAN FLOORS BEHIND FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, REAR AND WALK-IN COOLER.

2014-05-02 Pass Canvass
1
minor Facility Condition

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

OBSERVED A MISSING LIGHT BULB INSIDE OF THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING.

2013-08-13 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass Re-Inspection
CRITICAL 5
critical Employee Hygiene

HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA

OBSERVED NO HAND TOWELS AVAILABLE AT EITHER OF THE TWO EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS, AND NO HAND SOAP WAS AVAILABLE AT THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT PROVIDED SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT BOTH SIN...

critical Pest Activity

PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090

PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION FROM REPORT #1354017 ON 8/1/13 NOT CORRECTED: 18/01 - OBSERVED LIVE FRUIT FLIES ON THE WALLS, CEILING AND BOXES OF STOCK IN THE DINING ROOM, RESTROOMS AND FOOD PREP AREAS. APPROXIMATELY 20 LIVE FRUIT FLIES WERE OBSERVED IN...

critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

SEE VIOLATION #14.

minor Sanitation

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

DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE LINE PREP COOLERS AND WIRE STORAGE RACKS ABOVE THE SINKS AND PREP TABLES IN THE REAR PREP AREA.

minor Pest Activity

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

DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHT THE ESTABLISHMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE CONDITIONS.

2013-08-01 Fail Canvass
CRITICAL 3
critical Food Temperature

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

FACILITIES DO NOT MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED THE LINE PREP COOLER NEXT TO THE SANDWICH OVEN WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 43.7F. THE UNIT WAS USED TO STORE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS BLUE CHEESE AND CUT TOMATOES. ALL POTENTIALLY H...

critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

OBSERVED LIVE FRUIT FLIES ON THE WALLS AND STORAGE IN THE REAR AND FRONT PREP AREAS AND IN THE DINING ROOM. 21 LIVE FRUIT FLIES WERE OBSERVED IN THESE AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. SER...

minor Sanitation

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

DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE LINE PREP COOLERS.

2012-06-12 Pass Canvass
2
minor Sanitation

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

MEAT SLICER NOT CLEAN ON THE BACK OF BLADE AND BLADE HOUSING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

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

MISSING GROUT ALONG WALL BASE BEHIND 3-COMP SINK, INSTRUCTED TO GROUT FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

2011-07-11 Pass Canvass
4
minor Sanitation

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

FOLLOWING NEED CLEANING: INTERIOR LEDGE OF MOST COOLERS AT FRONT PREP AREA, INTERIOR OF CABINETS FOR GARBAGE BINS, COMPRESSORS OF SMALL COOLERS-DUE TO DUST/FOOD DEBRIS. All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensi...

minor Sanitation

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

FLOORS AROUND EQUIPMENT AT FRONT PREP AREA NEED CLEANING, FOOD DEBRIS NOTED. The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.

minor Sanitation

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

DUSTY WALLS ABOVE FRONT HANDSINK & TO THE RIGHT OF THE SELF-SERVE SODA DISPENSER MUST BE KEPT CLEAN. The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.

minor Pest Activity

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

ANY SODA CRATES USED FOR DRY STORAGE RACKS MUST BE REPLACED WITH REGULAR SHELVINGS, FOR EASY ACCESS TO CLEANING/PEST MONITORING. All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establis...

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Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health · Score calculated from inspection outcomes, violation severity & recency. · How we score
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