⚠️ Recent Failed Inspections ⚠️

POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS

5709 S HARLEM AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60638

Type: Restaurant

Risk Level: Risk 1 (High)

🍽️ Cuisine: Deli

📍 Neighborhood: Garfield Ridge

License #: 1742580

20
Total Inspections
12
Passed
5
Failed
3
Conditional
PASS
Last Result

Inspection History

PASS Risk 1 (High)

May 19, 2025 Inspection

May 19, 2025• Canvass• 2 violations

Violation: 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: EXIT DOOR NEAR TOILET ROOMS NOT PROTECTED, APPROX 1/4 INCH GAP PERIMETER AROUND DOOR. INSTD TO REPAIR DOOR AND HAVE TIGHT FITTING AT ALL TIM(+1 more)

PASS Risk 1 (High)

May 22, 2024 Inspection

May 22, 2024• Canvass• 3 violations

Violation: 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND RESIDUE ON THE GASKET OF COOLER DRAWERS IN THE FRONT PREP LINE AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.(+2 more)

PASS Risk 1 (High)

May 18, 2023 Inspection

May 18, 2023• Canvass• 5 violations

Violation: 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT A...(+4 more)

PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 1 (High)

Feb 3, 2022 Inspection

February 3, 2022• Canvass• 3 violations

Violation: 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED SOME BUILD UP OF GRIME IN CORNERS AND FLOORS ON FRONT ASSEMBLY LINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DEEP CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.(+2 more)

PASS Risk 1 (High)

Feb 6, 2020 Inspection

February 6, 2020• Canvass• 2 violations

Violation: 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED THE FRONT ICECREAM FREEZER INTERIOR NOT CLEAN WITH ICECREAM ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FREE...(+1 more)

PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 1 (High)

Mar 25, 2019 Inspection

March 25, 2019• Complaint Re-Inspection• 4 violations

Violation: 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: 2-501.11- MISSING CHLORINE CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR HIGH CONCENTRATION OF BLEACH (4000PM) LISTED ON PROCEDURE FOR CLEAN UP OF VO...(+3 more)

FAIL Risk 1 (High)

Mar 21, 2019 Inspection

March 21, 2019• Complaint Re-Inspection• 5 violations

Violation: 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: 2-501.11- MISSING CHLORINE CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR HIGH CONCENTRATION OF BLEACH (4000PM) LISTED ON PROCEDURE FOR CLEAN UP OF VOM...(+4 more)

FAIL Risk 1 (High)

Mar 14, 2019 Inspection

March 14, 2019• Complaint• 7 violations

Violation: 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: MISSING CHLORINE CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR HIGH CONCENTRATION OF BLEACH (4000PM) LISTED ON PROCEDURE FOR CLEAN UP OF VOMITING AND ...(+6 more)

PASS Risk 1 (High)

Mar 20, 2018 Inspection

March 20, 2018• Canvass• 2 violations

Violation: 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: OBSERVED THE REAR SLICER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.(+1 more)

PASS Risk 1 (High)

Jun 16, 2017 Inspection

June 16, 2017• Canvass Re-Inspection• 2 violations

Violation: 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: INTERIOR CHEST PANEL OF FREEZER IN REAR IN POOR REPAIR, EXPOSED INSULATION AND ALSO EXCESSIVE ICE ACCUM...(+1 more)

FAIL Risk 1 (High)

Jun 9, 2017 Inspection

June 9, 2017• Canvass• 4 violations

Violation: 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED - Comments: 3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT MAINTAINED. UNABLE TO DRAIN UNLESS RELEASING WATER AT EXTRE...(+3 more)

PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 1 (High)

Jun 16, 2016 Inspection

June 16, 2016• Canvass Re-Inspection• 5 violations

Violation: 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED - Comments: NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING...(+4 more)

FAIL Risk 1 (High)

Jun 8, 2016 Inspection

June 8, 2016• Canvass• 6 violations

Violation: 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED - Comments: OUTSIDE STORAGE AREA NOT MAINTAINED CLEAN, GARBAGE, GARDEN HOSE AND LEAVES PILED UP. RODENT H...(+5 more)

PASS Risk 1 (High)

Mar 31, 2015 Inspection

March 31, 2015• Canvass• 3 violations

Violation: 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING NOT CLEAN REAR STORAGE TABLE SHELF, AND REAR BULK SUGAR CONTAINER, INSTRUCTED TO ...(+2 more)

PASS Risk 1 (High)

Jan 27, 2014 Inspection

January 27, 2014• Canvass• 2 violations

Violation: 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CABINETS IN FRONT PREP AREA.(+1 more)

PASS Risk 1 (High)

Apr 8, 2013 Inspection

April 8, 2013• Canvass• 3 violations

Violation: 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: INTERIOR OF CHEST FREEZER IN REAR WITH EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD-UP. DEFROST SAME.(+2 more)

FAIL Risk 1 (High)

Sep 10, 2012 Inspection

September 10, 2012• Canvass• 5 violations

Violation: 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED - Comments: OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER EXPOSED, WITH GARBAGE AND DEBRIS ACCUMULATED ON GROUND IN C...(+4 more)

PASS Risk 1 (High)

Oct 17, 2011 Inspection

October 17, 2011• Canvass• 4 violations

Violation: 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: CHIPPED, PEELING PAINT ON EXTERIOR OF SOUP KETTLES. INSTD TO REPAIR SAME.(+3 more)

PASS Risk 1 (High)

Sep 14, 2010 Inspection

September 14, 2010• Canvass• 2 violations

Violation: 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: INTERIOR PANEL OF DEEP FREEZER IN POOR REPAIR, EXPOSED INSULATION. REPAIR SAME.(+1 more)

Health Department Contact

Department: Chicago Department of Public Health

Division: Food Protection Program

Report Issues: Call 311 or File Online

More Information: Chicago Food Protection

Data sourced from Chicago Open Data Portal - Chicago Department of Public Health inspections