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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Potbelly Sandwich Shop

225 E Chicago

Last inspected May 21, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

5 inspections

Complaint Re-Inspection

May 21, 2026

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SOME PREP AREA COOLERS RUBBER DOOR GASKETS RIPPED/DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR/REPLACE ALL DAMAGED COOLERS DOORS RUBBER GASKETS AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 21, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint

May 13, 2026

Fail

2 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 40 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON WALLS AT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REMOVE ALL SMALL FLIES BY DATE OF REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A). ADVISED TO CALL PEST CONTROL OPERATOR FOR SERVICE.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SOME PREP AREA COOLERS RUBBER DOOR GASKETS RIPPED/DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR/REPLACE ALL DAMAGED COOLERS DOORS RUBBER GASKETS AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 13, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 6, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

2 recorded violations

notedCode 52Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED INADEQUATE WASTE WATER DISPOSAL AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. WHEN WATER IS DRAINED FROM 1 COMPARTMENT IT BACKS UP INTO ANOTHER COMPARTMENT IN ADDITION TO LEAKING HEAVILY FROM THE TOP OF THE GREASE TRAP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND GREASE TRAP. TECHNICIAN REPAIRED GREASE TRAP. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 6, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

May 30, 2024

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

NOTED REACH IN COOLERS IN REAR PREP AND DISHROOM MISSING COMPRESSOR COVER, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IN DISHROOM VENT AND IS EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DUST, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 30, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 4, 2023

Pass w/ Conditions

7 recorded violations

notedCode 21Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 2.5 LBS OF COOKED MEATBALLS STORED INSIDE HOT HOLD UNIT AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. NOTED TEMP @ 122.0F. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD ALL HOT TCS FOODS @135F AND HIGHER AND MAINTAIN. SAID FOOD DISCARDED DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-005.PLEASE SEE VIOLATION #22 FOR CITATION.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues
notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER POUR PICKLE JUICE IN HANDSINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO NOT USE HANDSINK FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE BUT HANDWASHING AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-030 (C). CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 25 LBS OF SLICED TURKEY STORED INSIDE COLD HOLD UNIT AND 2 DOOR COOLER IN PREP AREA AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. NOTED TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 45.0F-55.0F. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD ALL COLD TCS FOODS AT 41F AND BELOW AND MAINTAIN. PERSON IN CHARGE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED SAID FOOD ITEMS DURING THIS TIME. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF FOOD SPILLAGE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SURFACES OF COOLING UNITS, HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND STORAGE RACKS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FLOORS WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS IN CAFE STORAGE ROOM THROUGHOUT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 1 OF 3 ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR REVIEW. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 4, 2023 · Original Source

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