Restaurant inspections / Restaurant
Potbelly Sandwich Works
545 W Madison St, Chicago 60661 · Risk 1 (High)
Pass w/ Conditions
Most recent result
Jan 8, 2026
26
Inspections on record
19
Times passed
2
Times failed
Violations cited on Jan 8, 2026
- #21PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: 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 - Comments: 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.
- #55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 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 - Comments: 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.
Inspection history
| Date | Type | Result | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 8, 2026 | Canvass | Pass w/ Conditions | Risk 1 (High) |
| Feb 10, 2025 | Canvass | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Feb 9, 2024 | Canvass Re-Inspection | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Feb 7, 2024 | Canvass | Fail | Risk 1 (High) |
| Apr 27, 2023 | Canvass | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Apr 15, 2022 | Canvass | Pass w/ Conditions | Risk 1 (High) |
| Jul 15, 2021 | Canvass | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Sep 1, 2020 | Complaint | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| May 20, 2020 | Canvass | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Aug 7, 2019 | Complaint | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Mar 8, 2019 | Canvass | Pass w/ Conditions | Risk 1 (High) |
| Jan 24, 2018 | Canvass | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Jun 7, 2017 | Canvass Re-Inspection | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Jun 6, 2017 | Canvass | Pass w/ Conditions | Risk 1 (High) |
| Nov 1, 2016 | Canvass | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Mar 16, 2016 | Canvass Re-Inspection | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Mar 14, 2016 | Canvass | Pass w/ Conditions | Risk 1 (High) |
| Mar 5, 2015 | Canvass Re-Inspection | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Mar 3, 2015 | Canvass Re-Inspection | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Feb 20, 2015 | Canvass | Fail | Risk 1 (High) |
| Aug 1, 2014 | Canvass | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| May 14, 2013 | Canvass | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| May 21, 2012 | Canvass | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Oct 26, 2011 | Canvass | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Jan 5, 2011 | Canvass | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Jun 15, 2010 | Canvass | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
Source
- Food Inspectionsupdated weeklyofficial portal ↗
Inspection records are published by the Chicago Department of Public Health. A failed inspection does not necessarily mean an establishment closed — most are re-inspected after correcting violations.
Other inspected places in 60661
Potbelly Sandwich Works — questions
- Did Potbelly Sandwich Works pass its last health inspection?
- Potbelly Sandwich Works at 545 W Madison St was inspected on Jan 8, 2026 by the Chicago Department of Public Health and the result was "Pass w/ Conditions". Across 26 inspections on record it has failed 2 times.
- What violations were cited at Potbelly Sandwich Works?
- The most recent inspection cited 4 violations, beginning with: PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: 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
- What does "Risk 1 (High)" mean?
- Chicago assigns every food establishment a risk category based on how much food handling it does. Risk 1 (High) covers full-service restaurants and is inspected most often; Risk 2 (Medium) and Risk 3 (Low) — such as places serving only pre-packaged food — are inspected less frequently.
- Where does this inspection data come from?
- The City of Chicago publishes every food-establishment inspection it performs, including the result and the full text of any violations cited. This page reads that dataset directly and updates as the city posts new inspections.
Search another establishment · Browse all inspections · More about 60661