POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS, LLC.

Chicago Health Dept

3636 N WESTERN AVE · NORTH CENTER, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Dec 2025).

15 inspections on record since 2014 · Last inspected Dec 2025.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

DEC 2025

INSPECTION HISTORY

DEC 15

2025

PASS 2 violations

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 FIXTURES EASILY-CLEANABLE.

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 FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DUST, DRIED FOOD DEBRIS, AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.

FEB 4

2025

PASS 3 violations

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.

JAN 22

2024

PASS · 0 violations

MAY 12

2023

PASS 4 violations

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.

JUL 14

2022

PASS 2 violations

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.

show all 15 inspections →

APR 15

2022

PASS 1 violation

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.

FEB 9

2021

PASS 1 violation 1 CRITICAL

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.

DEC 3

2019

PASS 2 violations

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.

MAY 14

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 1 violation 1 CRITICAL

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.

OCT 26

2017

PASS 4 violations

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.

JUL 3

2017

PASS 3 violations

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.

NOV 18

2016

PASS 3 violations

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.

FEB 5

2016

PASS 4 violations

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 THE CASH REGISTER STATION.

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.

OCT 29

2015

PASS 3 violations

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).

SEP 8

2014

PASS · 0 violations

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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