Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Potbelly Sandwich Shop

Name: Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Address: 900 W North Ave, Chicago, IL

900 W North Ave

Last inspected Jul 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

7 inspections

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jul 21, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

2-402.11 OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(B) OBSERVED EXTERIOR SURFACES OF HOT HOLD EQUIPMENT, INTERIOR COOLING EQIUPMENT, DRINK MIXER STORED IN DINING ROOM, COFFEE MACHINE, AND POP DISPENSER WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPLATTER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN IN ORDER TO PREVENT FOOD SOURCE FOR PEST.

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

5-205.15 OBSERVED FAUCET NECK OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN DISREPAIR COVERED WITH BLUE ADHESIVE AND LEAKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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

Inspector’s notes

6-501.13 OBSERVED FLOORS THROUGHOUT FRONT AND REAR PREP AREA UNDER SHELVING RACKS, PREP TABLES AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS AND STANDING WATER 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, Jul 21, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jul 14, 2026

Fail

6 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 12LBS SLICED PORTIONED DELI MEAT STORED IN 2 DOOR PREP COOLER AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. NOTED TEMPERATURE BETWEEN 50- @57.0F. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD ALL COLD TCS FOODS @ 41F AND BELOW AT ALL TIMES AS REQUIRED. PIC VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED DELI MEAT. 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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 35 OR MORE SMALL BLACK LIVE FLIES FLYING THROUGHOUT FRONT AND REAR PREP, REAR STORAGE AND DINING ROOM ON WALLS, EXTERIOR SURFACES COOLING EQUIPMENT, ON CARDBOARD BOXES, AND NEAR FLOOR DRAIN INSIDE CABINET WHERE BEVERAGE DISPENSER IS LOCATED. INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS. MUST ELIMINATE FLY ACTIVITY AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-020 (A). CITATION ISSUED.

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 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EXTERIOR SURFACES OF HOT HOLD EQUIPMENT, INTERIOR COOLING EQIUPMENT, DRINK MIXER STORED IN DINING ROOM, COFFEE MACHINE, AND POP DISPENSER WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPLATTER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN IN ORDER TO PREVENT FOOD SOURCE FOR PEST.

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FAUCET NECK OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN DISREPAIR COVERED WITH BLUE ADHESIVE AND LEAKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FLOORS THROUGHOUT FRONT AND REAR PREP AREA UNDER SHELVING RACKS, PREP TABLES AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS AND STANDING WATER 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, Jul 14, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint

Jul 28, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

No certified food service manager on site while handling and serving TCS foods ( deli meat, meat balls, etc.), instructed to obtain. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012.

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

notedCode 21Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

Found 5 lbs of cooked beef meatballs held in a steam table at 54.3°F; the steam table was not turned on. Instructed to hold Hot TCS foods at 135°F or higher. Priority violation 7-38-005. Item discarded valued at $20.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

Food handler not wearing hair restraints, Instructed to wear.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

Standing water pooling on floor under front prep kitchen hand wash sink, Instructed to minimize standing water to prevent insects breading site.

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, Jul 28, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 13, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 13, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint Re-Inspection

Mar 14, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13 OBSERVED 2 CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITHOUT A VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE A VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.

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, Mar 14, 2024 · Original Source

Complaint

Mar 7, 2024

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

CLEAN THE WALLS WITH FOOD DEBRIS ON THEM AROUND THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED APPROX. 15 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS ON THE WALLS AND BOXES OF STOCK IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS, DINING ROOM AND SANDWICH PICKUP AREA. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE SANDWICH PREP COOLER NEXT TO THE CONVEYOR OVEN AND THE PREP COOLER ACROSS FROM THE OVEN.

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 2 CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITHOUT A VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE A VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.

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, Mar 7, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 2, 2023

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE INSIDE UNISEX TOILET ROOM LOCATED CLOSER TO REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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, Oct 2, 2023 · Original Source