03/27/08

It's a Concept I Guess

by RobJohnson

It's a concept. It's a franchise. It's not a sandwich. Awful. Why must everything be toasted and/or smashed?

• Pros: There if you're desparate
• Cons: How about just a simple sandwich?

11/17/06

Great Chicago institution

by berryberrysweet

How can you not love the original Potbelly's, now that they've sprung up everywhere? Sure, it's a limited menu -- it's a sandwich joint -- but they have a way with the toaster, and all of the sandwiches are gooey great! Plus, the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are worth a wait in line.

10/05/06

The BEST!!!!

by megcons

I live in New York but my favorite part of visiting Chicago is Potbellys. Others may try to copy their style of toasting the sandwich but they fail. Potbelly's make the best sandwiches, shakes and cookies. Needless to say- not the best option for those counting calories. I anxiously await the day they open in New York until then I'll have to visit them in Chicago.

• Pros: The Food, the Service, THE PRICE
• Cons: Line can sometimes be long and seating during lunch time is limited.

07/14/06

Lines + an average sandwich

by zebrahead

It's really not a bad sandwich place. It's solidly better than subway, on par with a good day at Quizno's. The only thing is, if you're in Chicago, there are probably a dozen unique and awesome sandwich places within one mile of you - at any given time. Try Jerry's. Try Bari. Try a Mr. Beef beef. Heck, try a hotdog at Portillo's!

• Pros: Uniform menu all-over downtown Chicago
• Cons: Uniform, boring, hectic at lunchtime

07/08/06

Overrated but decent.

by jstraw

Once you eaten these a few times, you realize they all taste the same. There's not a lot of variety or creativity here, and they don't really compare to great hoagie or grinder places on the east coast. That being said, if you're hungry, and have exhausted all other options, you could do worse. Reviewers who grade these high are the same who think that Domino's is great pizza.

• Pros: Decent, cheap and filling.
• Cons: Average quality, at best.

09/08/05

No better than Quizno's

by behrdr

Fast and friendly service. Nice ambience. Average sandwiches. If you like toasted sandwiches, go to Quizno's instead. Sandwich wrappers are always oily from workers gloves. Not worth going out of your way for and definately not a top Chicago eatery.

• Pros: Cheap Prices, Environment, Friendly
• Cons: Sandwiches average, dry and oily, not much variety

07/14/05

Tasty baked sandwiches served in a charming, antique-filled setting.

by Contributor

The Scene
Hung-over post-collegians and neighborhood regulars fill this charming space, which started out as an antique shop in 1977 and now serves some of the best sandwiches in the city. Vintage signs and odds and ends are scattered about. On weekend afternoons, live musicians strum from an overhead platform. The lines are long, but the college-kid crew behind the counter works like a well-oiled machine.

The Food
There's nothing too fancy here, just dense baked sandwiches like smoked ham or turkey and Swiss, meatball, and the "wreck": salami, roast beef, turkey and ham with swiss. The secret is the bread, a fresh Italian roll baked till crisp yet chewy. Don't forget the hot peppers--you can always cool off with a mocha shake or pineapple coconut smoothie.

• Pros: great sandwicheslow prices

05/21/05

Perfect Sandwich every time!!!

by newmail5456

I have been going to Potbelly's for the past 10 years! I used to go to the original on Lincoln Ave when I was in High School, and as a huge fan I can't begin to describe the happiness I felt when they started a chain! Now I can be in the North Shore and get the same amazing sandwich with that special mustard, I can also be in Printer's Row and do the same! I am amazed that the quality of the sandwiches was Not compromized by the expansion! Potbelly's, you are awesome! Thank you : ) Best of luck!

• Pros: wreck!, bread!, mustard!
• Cons: Really nothing!

10/25/03

Know what you want.

by jasonlink

Potbelly's is so great. but one tip, if its your first time, dont feel rushed, the line moves pretty fast sometimes, but the people are usally really pacient, and nice. but make you, take your time when you order, read all the items, DONT FEEL RUSHED! enjoy!

08/13/03

Overrated!!

by jenick3

One of the best!!! Are you kidding? Potbelly is popular due solely to media hype. They have an incredibly limited menu serving so-so sandwiches. The attraction of this chain seems to be their attempt to cash in on the current trend of trying to be different or hip. They accomplish neither. I can only imagine why anyone would want to eat there more than once. So if you have the urge to say you've eaten at one of the "cool places", then go, but after that I guarantee you'll reach the same conclusion as me- quality of food and prices are far more important than being trendy. And that's all I got to say about that.

• Pros: good service, location
• Cons: limited menu, prices