What is Potbelly Sandwich Works's health inspection score?

Potbelly Sandwich Works has a SafeDine safety score of 91 out of 100 (Grade A). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Potbelly Sandwich Works last inspected?

Potbelly Sandwich Works was last inspected on January 8, 2026. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Potbelly Sandwich Works have?

Potbelly Sandwich Works has 8 total violations across 5 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Potbelly Sandwich Works safe to eat at?

Yes, Potbelly Sandwich Works has an excellent safety record with a score of 91/100. This indicates strong compliance with health and safety standards.

What type of cuisine does Potbelly Sandwich Works serve?

Potbelly Sandwich Works serves Sandwich cuisine. Visit their SafeDine page for safety scores, inspection history, and more details.

Official Health Record

Potbelly Sandwich Works

Name: Potbelly Sandwich Works
Address: 545 W MADISON ST, Chicago, 60661
Rating: 91

545 W MADISON ST, Chicago

Last Inspected: 1/8/2026

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0Excellent

Sandwich•West Loop

Ranked #254 of 1000 in West LoopBetter than 100% of sandwich restaurants

Declining

5 inspections

Last: Jan 8, 2026

high confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

20%

Clean Rate

1.6

Avg Violations

3 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Temperature control

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

HandwashingHigh Priority

Employees not properly washing hands — contamination risk

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

Other violation

Regulatory compliance issue

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-9

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-0 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-6 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-3 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Inspection Timeline

-9 pts

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

100

3rd

30% weight

How scoring works: Every restaurant starts at 100 points. Points are deducted for violations found during inspections.

Recent inspections are weighted more heavily. High priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact.

Location

545 W MADISON ST, Chicago, IL 60661

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Violation Timeline

Apr 2023

1 inspections

2 basic

Apr

Feb 2024

2 inspections

1 high priority

Feb 2025

1 inspections

1 basic

Feb

Jan 2026

1 inspections

2 intermediate

2 basic

Inspection History

5 records on file

4 Canvass1 Canvass Re-Inspection

Jan 26

Canvass InspectionLatestPass w/ Conditions

2 Med2 Basic

4 total

86/100inspection score

−14 pts

Intermediate (2)

−10 pts

21PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES−5
OBSERVED MEATBALLS AND RED SAUCE BETWEEN 110.0F AND 130.0F AT THE FRONT PREPARATION AREA WARMER. INSTRUCTED TO DENATURE AND DISCARD LISTED TCS FOOD ITEM(S) AT IMPROPER HOT-HOLDING TEMPERATURES AND MAINTAIN ALL TCS FOOD ITEM(S) AT 135.0F OR ABOVE FOR HOT-HOLDING. APPROXIMATELY 10 LBS OF FOOD VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $30.00 DISCARDED ON-SITE. PERSON-IN-CHARGE DENATURED AND DISCARDED LISTED TCS FOOD ITEM(S) ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
22PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES−5
OBSERVED CUT TOMATOES AT 50.1F IN THE FRONT PREPARATION AREA MINI COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO DENATURE AND DISCARD LISTED TCS FOOD ITEM(S) AT IMPROPER COLD-HOLDING TEMPERATURES AND MAINTAIN ALL TCS FOOD ITEM(S) AT 41.0F OR BELOW FOR COLD-HOLDING. APPROXIMATELY 10 LBS OF FOOD VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $15.00 DISCARDED ON-SITE. PERSON-IN-CHARGE DENATURED AND DISCARDED LISTED TCS FOOD ITEM(S) ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005 CITATION CONSOLIDATION WITH VIOLATION #21.

Basic (2)

−4 pts

55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED STORAGE CLOSET IN THE REAR AREA (NEAR EMPLOYEE RESTROOM) TO BE EXCESSIVELY CLUTTERED. INSTRUCTED TO REDUCE CLUTTER AND ELIMINATE ITEMS UNNECESSARY TO FOOD OPERATIONS TO ALLOW FOR ADEQUATE PEST MONITORING AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED FLOORS BENEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND CHEST FREEZER IN THE REAR WAREWASHING/UTILITY AREA TO BE SOILED WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND DUST DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS BENEATH EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DUST, DRIED FOOD DEBRIS, AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−14 pts

Feb 25

Canvass InspectionPass

1 Basic

1 total

98/100inspection score

−2 pts

Basic (1)

−2 pts

49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
Meat slicer not clean on the back side of blade, food debris noted. Instructed to clean and maintain.

Base deductions−2 pts

Feb 24

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionCleanPass

No violations

100/100inspection score

Feb 24

Canvass InspectionFail

1 High

1 total

90/100inspection score

−10 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
No hot running water at front prep area and both restroom hand wash sinks, water temp at 66f. Instructed manager to provide no 100-120 hot water at all hand wash sinks. Priority violation 7-38-030(C)

Base deductions−10 pts

Apr 23

Canvass InspectionPass

2 Basic

2 total

96/100inspection score

−4 pts

Basic (2)

−4 pts

49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED FOOD SPLASH OF MILK AND OTHER FOOD DEBRIS IN THE BOTTOM DESSERT COOLER AND BOTTOM SALAD COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS, INTERIOR OF PREP DISH AREA, AROUND GREASE TRAP, PREP TABLES AND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, DIRT BUILDUP. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Base deductions−4 pts

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Community Safety Reports

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Data source: Chicago CDPH · Official government inspection records

Grading System

85 – 100

Excellent

70 – 84

Good

Below 70

Fair

About SafeDine Scores

Scores are calculated using official government inspection data. High Priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact, followed by Intermediate and Basic violations. Community reviews can adjust the score by up to 5 points when 3+ reviews are submitted.

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