Chicago
100
EAT

Potbelly Sandwich Works, LLC

3636 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 · North Center · Restaurant · High risk
EAT
100/100

Clean record — passed all 15 inspections

Inspections
15
14 passed
Last Inspected
2025-12-15
Pass Rate
93%
0 failures
Score
100/100
EAT
15 consecutive passes, most recently 2025-12-15
No failures across all 15 inspections on record
Sanitation issues found across 23 inspections
Employee Hygiene issues found across 3 inspections
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🧽
Sanitation critical 23×
📌
Other minor
🧼
Employee Hygiene critical
📋
Documentation & Training minor
🚰
Plumbing & Waste minor
🐀
Pest Activity minor
2025-12-15 Pass Canvass
2
minor Sanitation

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED FLOOR-MOUNTED DRAIN BENEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE WAREWASHING AREA TO BE HEAVILY-SOILED AND NO LONGER EASILY-CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN OR REPLACE FLOOR-MOUNTED DRAIN BENEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING FIXTUR...

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED FLOOR, WALLS, AND BEVERAGE TUBING BENEATH BEVERAGE MACHINE IN THE FRONT SERVICE AREA HEAVILY-SOILED WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND DUST DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS, WALLS, AND OTHER PHYSICAL FACILITIES BENEATH EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUE...

2025-02-04 Pass Canvass
3
minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

NOTED DIRTY AND DUSTY CEILING FANS ABOVE DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

NOTED EMPLOYEES ON SITE WITH NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AT ALL TIMES AND NEW EMPLOYEES HAVE A 30 DAYS GRACE PERIOD TO OBTAIN THEIR CERTIFICATION.

minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.

2024-01-22 Pass Canvass

No violations found.

2023-05-12 Pass Complaint
4
minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO VISIBLE THERMOMETER INSIDE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A VISIBLE THERMOMETER IN THE INTERIOR OF THE WALK IN COOLER.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED HEAVILY STAINED COUNTERTOP AND INTERIOR CABINETS UNDERNEATH SODA FOUNTAIN MACHINE IN FRONT SERVING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED HOLES AROUND PIPES AT BASE OF MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY SEAL AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED SMALL HOLES NEXT TO SOAP DISPENSER OF HANDSINK NEXT TO ONE COMPARTMENT PREP SINK IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY SEAL AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED HEAVY GREASE AND DUST BUILDUP IN THE INTERIOR SURFACES OF THE HOOD ABOVE OVEN IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

2022-07-14 Pass Complaint
2
minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS ON TOP OF THE PREP LINE COOLERS AT FRONT MAIN PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN EXHAUST HOOD ABOVE THE OVEN AT MAIN FRONT PREP AREA TO REMOVE ACCUMULATIONS OF DUSTS.

2022-04-15 Pass Canvass
1
minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED FLOORS UNDER DRINK DISPENSING AREA UNCLEAN. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS AND FLOOR DRAINS UNDER DRINK DISPENSING AREA.

2021-02-09 Pass Canvass
CRITICAL 1
critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE FRONT HAND SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

2019-12-03 Pass Complaint
2
minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

3-COMPARTMENT SINK PIPE FLOOR DRAIN IS DRAINING SLOWLY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER SAID FLOOR DRAIN MUST DRAIN QUICKLY.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRT/LIQUID INSIDE CABINET FLOOR UNDER SODA MACHINE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID LOCATION.

2019-05-14 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 1
critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE WITH ALL NECESSARY ITEMS AS OUTLINED IN POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

2017-10-26 Pass Complaint
4
minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED DIRT/FOOD BUILD UP ON SHLEF UNDER DIPPER WELL. MUST CLEAN SHELF AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

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

FLOOR LITTERED UNDER SHELF RACKS AT REAR STORAGE ROOM AND DIRT/DUST BUILD UP ON FLOOR IN CABINET UNDER SODA MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER CLEAN FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED FOOD STAINS ON WALL BEHIND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN WALL.

minor Employee Hygiene

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

PREP AREA HANDWASH BOWL FAUCET LEAKING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SINK.

2017-07-03 Pass Canvass
3
minor Sanitation

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

PREP AREA LOW STATION REACH IN COOLER AND REACH IN COOLER #3 DOOR RUBBER GASKETS RIPPED. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR DAMAGED DOOR RUBBER GASKETS.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED DUST/DIRT BUILD UP ON FLOOR IN PREP AREA AND DISHWASH AREA. MUST CLEAN FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND ALL EQUIPMENT AND ALONG CORNERS/WALLS AT PREP AND DISHWASH AREA.

minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

MUST RECALBRATE METEL STEM THERMOMETERS.

2016-11-18 Pass Canvass
3
minor Sanitation

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

MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE PREP TABLE WHERE THE SOUP IS REHEATED. FOUND COUNTER PREP TABLE DIRTY WITH SOUP SPILLS.

minor Pest Activity

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

MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE FLOOR AT THE FRONT SANDWICH PREP AREA TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRI AND SPILLS AT THE FLOOR AND UNDER REFRIGERATION UNITS.ALSO MUST DETAIL CLEAN ALL FLOOR DRAINS IN THE FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS TO PREVENT PEST BREEDING.

minor Sanitation

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

MUST MAINTAIN PLASTIC GARBAGE CONTAINERS IN THE PREP AREAS BETTER MAINTAINED. FOUND VARIOUS PLASTIC GARBAGE CONTAINERS FULL DURING INSPECTION. MUST BE BETTER MAINTAINED SO AS TO BE ABLE TO THROW AWAY GARBAGE AT ABOVE MENTIONED AREAS.

2016-02-05 Pass Canvass
4
minor Sanitation

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

MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE EXTERIOR DOORS OF ALL REFRIGERATORS TO REMOVE GREASE AND FOODS STAINS AS WELL AS INSIDE BOTTOM SHELF OF UNITS TO REMOVE SAME. MUST REMOVE EXCESSIVE ICE/FROST BUILD-UP AT THE REACH-IN ICE CREAM BOX FREEZER ACROSS FROM T...

minor Sanitation

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

MUST DECLUTTER THE FOOD PREP LINE AREA SO AS NOT HAVE DELIVERY CASES AND OTHER BOXES OFF THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT SERVICE LINE AREA. ALSO REMOVE OFF PREMISES EXCESS EMPTY CARD BOARD BOXES.

minor Employee Hygiene

APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

OBSERVED 2 MALE FOOD PREP STAFF MEMBERS NOT WEARING FACIAL HAIR GUARDS. BOTH STAFF WERE PREPARING FOOD AND MILK SHAKES WITHOUT WEARING FACIAL HAIR RESTRAINTS. MUST PROVIDE.

minor Documentation & Training

FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

DURING INSPECTION FOUND 3 NEW STAFF MEMBERS WITHOUT THEIR IDPH FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE FOR THE NEXT ROUTINE INSPECTION.

2015-10-29 Pass Canvass
3
minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR CABINET UNDERNEATH UTENSIL AND BEVERAGE DISPENSER MACHINE IN DINING AREA.

minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN FRONT AND REAR PREP/STORAGE AREA.

minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY USE STORAGE RACKS/SHELVES 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING (NO SODA OR MILK CRATES).

2014-09-08 Pass License

No violations found.

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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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