CHICAGO, IL - Health department officials identified compliance issues at POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS in an inspection dated 04/14/2023.
Situated at 8300 S HOLLAND RD, the establishment is part of Ashburn's active food service sector. The Ashburn area undergoes regular health inspections as part of the city's comprehensive food safety monitoring program.
The inspection identified 4 distinct violations requiring correction. Each violation has established correction procedures that must be followed to achieve compliance.
The first violation involved sanitization. Inspectors documented: Non-food/food Contact Surfaces Clean - Comments: Must Detail Clean the Self Serve Pop Station Counter Top to Remove Spill and Debris. Also Clean the Prep Station in the Front Area. Must Defrost and Clean the Interior of the Front Ice Cream Freezer.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces.
The second violation involved food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Plumbing Installed. Violations of health codes can increase the risk of foodborne illness.
The third violation involved pest management. Inspectors documented: Proper Backflow Devices - Comments: Observed a Leaky Line Underneath the Front Pop Station. Must Repair and Maintain to Prevent a Breeding Place for Pests.. The FDA Food Code requires establishments to eliminate conditions that attract and harbor pests, including proper waste management and facility maintenance. For more information, see FDA pest control standards. Cockroaches can spread E. coli and Salmonella by contaminating food and surfaces.
The fourth violation related to sanitation and cleanliness. Inspectors documented: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean - Comments: Floors Need Detail Cleaning Through Out Especially Behind the Front Prep Station and in Between Equipment. Must Remove Build Up Debris. Also the Floor Drain the Dining Area Under Pop Station Needs Detail Cleaning.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Biofilms can form on inadequately cleaned surfaces, protecting bacteria from sanitizers.
The correction of health violations is monitored through follow-up inspections and documentation requirements. Establishments must demonstrate that they have addressed the root causes of violations, not just the immediate symptoms.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 04/14/2023 inspection. Conditions may have changed since this inspection. For current compliance status, consult the Chicago Department of Public Health. For more information about restaurant inspection regulations in this area, visit the Chicago Food Service Sanitation Rules. Learn more about food safety at FDA.gov and CDC.gov.
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were documented: 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 TIMES.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: 3-COMPARMTENT SINK AND HANDWASH SINK IN SAME AREA SLOW DRAINING. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.; 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.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED HANDLES OF WASHBOWL SINKS IN THE RESTROOM TO BE IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED WALL NEAR OFFICE AREA TO HAVE MISSING PAINT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.; 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 ALL HAND WASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED 1/4" GAP ON RIGHT CORNER OF EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN..
Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces. Cockroaches can spread E. coli and Salmonella by contaminating food and surfaces. Biofilms can form on inadequately cleaned surfaces, protecting bacteria from sanitizers.
This inspection data is sourced directly from Chicago Department of Public Health. For the most current information, please visit the official health department website.
Federal Guidelines: Our reporting follows standards established by the FDA Food Code, CDC Food Safety Guidelines, and USDA Food Safety Standards.
📖 Food Safety Codes: Reference the specific regulations that govern this establishment: Chicago Food Code, FDA Food Code 2022
⚠️ Important Note: Restaurant conditions can change rapidly. This inspection represents a snapshot in time and may not reflect current conditions. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking recent reviews or contacting the establishment directly.
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