What is Potbelly Sandwich Works's health inspection score?

Potbelly Sandwich Works has a SafeDine safety score of 66 out of 100 (Grade C). 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 March 12, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Potbelly Sandwich Works have?

Potbelly Sandwich Works has 13 total violations across 3 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Potbelly Sandwich Works safe to eat at?

Potbelly Sandwich Works has a safety score of 66/100, which suggests room for improvement. Review the detailed inspection history on SafeDine for more information.

Official Health Record

Potbelly Sandwich Works

Name: Potbelly Sandwich Works
Address: 57 E CHICAGO AVE, Chicago, 60611
Rating: 66

57 E CHICAGO AVE, Chicago

Last inspected 12mo ago

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0Fair

Streeterville

Ranked #469 of 705 in Streeterville

Stable

3 inspections

Last: Mar 12, 2025

low confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

Clean Rate

4.3

Avg Violations

13 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Temperature control

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

Pest issuesHigh Priority

Evidence of pests found during inspection

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

Permit/documentationHigh Priority

Administrative or documentation issue

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-34

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-0 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-2 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-10 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-12 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

+1 pts

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

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

57 E CHICAGO AVE, Chicago, IL 60611

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Violation Timeline

May 2023

1 inspections

1 intermediate

1 basic

May

Mar 2024

1 inspections

2 high priority

1 intermediate

Mar 2025

1 inspections

8 basic

Mar

Inspection History

3 records on file

3 Canvass

Mar 25

Canvass InspectionLatestPass

8 Basic

8 total

84/100inspection score

−16 pts

Basic (8)

−16 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED MILK & SODA CRATES BEING USED AS ELEVATION THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED THE INSIDE OF THE DEEP FREEZER IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
OBSERVED HOT WATER LEVER SINK HANDLE NOT TURNING OFF WATER FLOW AT 3 COMPARMENT SINK, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE LEVER
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED MISSING FLOOR GROUT IN DISH AND PREP AREA NOTED DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN PREP. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
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, PREP TABLES AND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, DIRT BUILDUP. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED CLUTTER STORED ON FLOOR NEAR DRY STORAGE AND DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED MISSING CEILINGS TILE PANELS IN THE PREP AND STAINED CEILING TILES AT THE FRONT AND REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR, REPLACE MISSING PANELS AND/OR REPLACE THE STAINED CEILING TILES.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON FAN IN WALK-IN COOLER, LIGHT SHIELDS IN PREP AREAS AND CEILING AND WALL VENTS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FANS, LIGHT SHIELDS AND CEILING/WALL VENTS.

Base deductions−16 pts

Mar 24

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

2 High1 Med

3 total2 risk factors

65/100inspection score

−25 pts

High Priority (2)

−20 pts

1PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIESRisk Factor−10
2CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATERisk Factor−10
No certified food service manager on site while handling and serving TCS foods ( deli meat, chicken...) instructed to obtain. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012.

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

36THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE−5
Missing and misplaced thermometer in several prep coolers, instructed to provide in warmest part where it can be seen easily.

Base deductions−25 pts

Risk factor bonus (2× +5)−10 pts

May 23

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

1 Med1 Basic

2 total

93/100inspection score

−7 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

22PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES−5
OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 7.5LBS OF SLCIED DELI MEAT STORED INSIDE FRONT PREP COLD HOLD UNIT @ IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. NOTED TEMPERATED RANGED BETWEEN 44.9F-49.2F DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED PESON IN CHARGE TO HOLD ALL COLD TCS FOODS AT 41F AND BELOW AT ALL TIMES AND MAINTAIN. PIC DISCAREDED SAID ITEMS VOLUNATRILY. VALUE @ $23.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (1)

−2 pts

55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERRVED FLOORS THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE DRIED FOOD DEBRIS, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−7 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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