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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Potbelly Sandwich Works LLC

2264 N Lincoln Ave

Last inspected Jun 2, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

5 inspections

Canvass

Jun 2, 2026

Pass

6 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

ALL BULK FOODS NOT STORED IN THEIR ORIGINAL CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

NOTED DRY STORAGE FOODS IN THE BASEMENT IE: CHIPS, TO GO FOOD CONTAINERS AND BOX FREEZER IN BASEMENT BEING STORED DIRECTLY UNDER WASTEWATER PIPELINES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

RUSTY METAL RACK SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL RUST OR REPLACE.

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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED DIRTY TOILET IN THE STAFF WASHROOM. 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

FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FRONT AND REAR PREP/DISH AREAS WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN.----NOTED MISSING/DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE STAFF WASHROOM AND MISSING/DAMAGED WALL PLASTER IN THE CUSTOMER WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE/REPAIR.

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, Jun 2, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 13, 2025

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TWO SINGLE DOOR REACH IN/PREP COOLERS TO NOT HAVE ANY THERMOMETERS PRESENT FOR MEASURING THE INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ONE IN EACH COOLER. MANAGER PROVIDED AT TIME OF INSPECTION.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LEAK AT BASE OF FAUCET OF MOP SINK IN KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE FAUCET OF MOP SINK AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR.

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 PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER IN DISHWASHING AREA TO BE DAMAGED/NOT OPERABLE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PAPER TOWELS PLACED ON TOP. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE WITH ACCEPTABLE PAPER TOWEL HOLDER.

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, Jan 13, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Feb 5, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 5, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jan 17, 2024

Fail

5 recorded violations

notedCode 59Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#2587910 ON 01/10/2024 #55) 6-201.11 STILL OBSERVED CRUMBLED BRICK THROUGHOUT BASEMENT STORAGE AREA ARE NOT EASILY CLEANABLE REPAIR ISSUE WITH SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SEAL HOLES ON WALLS. PRIORITY VIOLATION: 7-42-090, CITATION ISSUE.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HAND WASHING SINKS IN FRONT AND REAR PREP/DISH AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN

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 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

THERMOMETER NEEDED AT THE FRONT 2-DOOR PREP COOLER WHERE VEGETABLE ARE STORED. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SLOW LEAK ON PIPE UNDERNEATH HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR PREP DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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 DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREA. 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 17, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 10, 2024

Fail

7 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HAND WASHING SINKS IN FRONT AND REAR PREP/DISH AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SLOW LEAK ON PIPE UNDERNEATH HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR PREP DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TOILET IN THE UNISEX WASHROOM LOCATED NEXT TO FRONT SELLING AREA NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. OBSERVED TOILET CLOGGED WHEN FLASHING OVERFLOWING WITH TISSUE PAPER. FACILITY HAS ANOTHER TOILET ROOM FOR EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS TO USE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

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 DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREA. 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 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

THERMOMETER NEEDED AT THE FRONT 2-DOOR PREP COOLER WHERE VEGETABLE ARE STORED. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
notedCode 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

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 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION#2556457 ON 05/27/2022. VIOLATION#55. CRUMBLE BRICKS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA ARE NO EASILY CLEANABLE. REPAIR ISSUE WITH A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.SEAL HOLES ON WALLS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 10, 2024 · Original Source

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