DEC 15
2025
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS, LLC.
EAT. 100/100
3636 N WESTERN AVE · NORTH CENTER, CHICAGO
Last inspected December 15, 2025 · passed
Passed all 15 inspections, but 2 critical violations on file.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
15
14 passed · 1 w/ conditions
VIOLATIONS
33
includes 2 critical
RECORDS COVER
11 YEARS
since Sep 2014
INSPECTION HISTORY
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.
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 42025PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
FEB 4
2025
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
NOTED DIRTY AND DUSTY CEILING FANS ABOVE DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
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.
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.
MAY 122023PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
MAY 12
2023
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
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.
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.
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.
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 142022PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
JUL 14
2022
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
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.
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 152022PASSED1 violationDETAILS
APR 15
2022
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED FLOORS UNDER DRINK DISPENSING AREA UNCLEAN. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS AND FLOOR DRAINS UNDER DRINK DISPENSING AREA.
FEB 92021PASSED1 violation1 CRITICALDETAILS
FEB 9
2021
PASSED
1 violation1 CRITICALDETAILS
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 32019PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
DEC 3
2019
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
3-COMPARTMENT SINK PIPE FLOOR DRAIN IS DRAINING SLOWLY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER SAID FLOOR DRAIN MUST DRAIN QUICKLY.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DIRT/LIQUID INSIDE CABINET FLOOR UNDER SODA MACHINE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID LOCATION.
MAY 142019PASS W/ CONDITIONS1 violation1 CRITICALDETAILS
MAY 14
2019
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
1 violation1 CRITICALDETAILS
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 262017PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
OCT 26
2017
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
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.
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.
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.
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 32017PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
JUL 3
2017
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
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.
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.
REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
MUST RECALBRATE METEL STEM THERMOMETERS.
NOV 182016PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
NOV 18
2016
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
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.
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.
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 52016PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
FEB 5
2016
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
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.
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.
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.
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 292015PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
OCT 29
2015
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
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.
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.
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).
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 →