Potbelly Sandwich Works began in 1977 as a small antique store run by a nice young couple. Despite the fast-paced, never-a-dull-moment world of antique dealing, the couple decided to bolster their business by making sandwiches for their customers. What began as a lark, turned out to be a stroke of genius. Soon, people who couldn't care less about vintage glass doorknobs were stopping by to enjoy special sandwiches and homemade desserts in this unusual atmosphere.
As the years passed, the lines grew. Booths were added, along with ovens for toasting sandwiches to perfection, vista-coolers, napkin dispensers, hand-dipped ice cream - even live music. The little antique shop had become a full-fledged, totally unique sandwich joint. Then in 1996, an entrepreneurial young man by the name of Bryant Keil bought the original store on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Together with his team, Bryant obsessed over every detail of each new store, making sure that they maintained the same charm and heritage. Now more than 200 shops later we hope you find that same magic in your neighborhood Potbelly.
Store Info
Level: 5
Phone: (312) 587-9435
Hours: M-Sat 10:00am - 07:30pm
Sun 11:00am - 06:30pm
Website: www.potbelly.com
Store Features
As you would expect, our passion for great food helped us develop a huge following of loyal Potbelly fans. Sandwiches like "A Wreck" made with Black Angus roast beef, old world salami, oven roasted turkey breast, hickory smoked ham and melted Swiss Cheese, have put an end to the antiques part of the business (although all our stores still have a bunch of antiques around and books to read). The chicken salad in our Chicken Salad Sandwich is handmade every day. Our Italian Sandwich has four Italian meats - authentic capicola, mortadella, salami, and pepperoni. The meatballs in our Meatball Sandwich are covered with rich marinara sauce and provolone. It's straight forward, great tasting, wholesome, comfort food.
But we have more than just great sandwiches. Our made-to-order Salads include the same Potbelly meats and cheeses as our sandwiches, along with other fresh salad-y ingredients like roasted red peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, crumbled blue cheese, chopped egg, and homemade croutons all on crisp lettuce. All of our soups are loaded with vegetables and other tasty stuff. And the Chili is super-meaty - just like Mom's.
We are also famous for our sweets like cookies baked fresh throughout the day. We take the time to make sure that each hand dipped milkshake, malt, and smoothie comes with a cute little butter cookie on the straw. Our ice cream sandwiches don't come out of a wrapper, but are made right before your eyes by layering real ice cream between two of our outrageous Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.
At Potbelly, you get the chance to create the sandwich or other item the way you want to have it. You can get "Thin-Cut" bread (we remove 1/3 of the bread), leave off the mayo, or load up on lettuce, or tomatoes, or sliced pickle, or our unique Potbelly Hot Peppers…it is up to you. The choices are endless. We don't start making your food until you place your order…so you can let your mood determine what you order.
From their very first visit customers are often hooked (some have even been known to experience intense cravings the very next day). It doesn't take long before Potbelly fans have a favorite sandwich or salad they refer to thereafter as "My Potbelly".