On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Category: Sandwiches [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Lincoln Square, RavenswoodWestern (Brown)
"What is going on over here? Ten five star reviews in a row? For that sandwich place on Lincoln, you know the one by the Paulina brown line…" read more »
Loading...
Potbelly kick: two times in two days. Yeah, I'm on a roll, here.
It would be silly of me to pretend that I ever get creative and try different sandwiches here--I've been on a Turkey & Swiss on "regular" bread since I was 16. I've sampled the Wreck, contemplated the PBJ, but always return to my tried and true (add mayo, lettuce, and onion, please).
Why is it that Potbelly employees always seem to be overly enjoying their job? They have a smile when they greet you to take your sammich order, have a smile when they pull it off the toaster track, and have a smile when they're bagging up your order at the register. This location is no different than most experiences I've had at various locations. Nearly every time, it looks like they're having so much fun, I'm ready to jump back there with them and ask, "Mayo, mustard, hot peppers?"
I like that the Potbelly chain has been slowly expanding its offerings over time: first we had the Skinnys, now we have the Bigs, they've got salads (yet to try), they have little sides you can buy (right next to the Orangina) like potato salad, coleslaw, macaroni salad. I noticed that now, they have hanging signs about combo specials--a sandwich, chips, and a fountain drink for about six and a half bucks--not a bad deal!
As this is my neighborhood Potbelly, and a rather fabulous one, you can count on my patronage...I doubt I'll make it 3 days in a row, though. I'll have my own Potbelly soon if I'm not careful!
I've been to Potbelly twice, each time I wasn't impressed with the sandwiches. They were ok, but not as great as people were telling me. I tried different versions of the vegetarian sandwich and both times I found it bland. The best part was the bread which was lightly toasted so it was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
The ambience of the place is like a typical fast food joint. It was clean, but loud and full of screaming children. I felt like yelling, "someone spank that child already!". If you choose to eat in, don't bring anything to read because you will be distracted.
So, yea it's Potbelly's, but sometimes, all a girl wants is some consistency. The location is super convenient, at least for a couple more days, but the consistency simply isn't there. I've been to this specific location 3 times in the last couple of weeks. When you stop judging me, please read on. Some of us are moving and don't have time to cook, alright?
I digress...so 3 times, 3 different order takers, 3 different filling/topping placer persons (do they have a title?) and 3 different cashiers. Well, i'm possibly lying about the cashier part since I have been too tired to notice that many specifics.
What I have noticed is I placed the exact same order all 3 visits (shush, I know what I like). Somehow, it's like that gossip game you're forced to play in junior high by whispering one thing into someones ear and it gets passed down the line until suddenly the original thought is completely out of whack and you've learned how quickly gossip can spin out of control. Stop pretending like you don't know what i'm talking about!
So, order placed, same exact thing, and each time I get home, happy about the dinner I am about to partake in...what? This is lettuce. I hate lettuce. I would never, ever order lettuce. WTF? I pick off the lettuce and continue eating even though my lovely sandwich now has that nasty lettuce-y smell. The next night, sandwich is devoid of any toppings except a tiny pepper and a sliver, literally, of tomato.
Seriously, I am never there during a busy time or when there is a line of any sort. And it's a sandwich - not difficult. In the interest of fairness, the employees are nice and I like the food, but, am thinking I won't be missing this location after leaving Lincoln Square.
Pot Belly Lincoln square is a decent place for quick eats. It's the perfect spot if your budget is tight and in a rush. Located right near the curve on Lincoln, it's kind of an easy place to get to from anywhere in the square.
In warmer months, Potbelly has outdoor seating, comfortably placed under trees. I also think their staff is friendly, courteous and helpful. My favorite sandwich is the TKY; a low carb turkey on wheat. I haven't tried their ice creams, but they seem popular. Warning, it does get busy between 5 and 7pm.
There's nothing more satisfying than a good sandwich, especially when it's free. That's right FREE!
You're probably thinking, "how's that possible?" Well I'm here to let the cat out of bag and tell you exactly how I scored a box of 10 sandwiches for free at this location.
******Drum roll please******
The fish bowl. That's it. Just place your business card in the fish bowl they have on the counter and who knows, you could possibly be the next big winner of 10 sandwiches from that particular location. I mean how cool is that?
******Fine Print******
However, like all cool deals, there is some fine print. You are required to order all 10 sandwiches at once and you have to pick them up at the same location you won them from. This deal is null and void on delivery. Trust me I tried, but for 10 free sandwiches a quick drive to pick them up is worth it.
I shared my 10 free scrumptious sandwiches with my coworkers and we had a really nice group lunch. Everyone was really happy with their selection and I was just happy to have an actual lunch hour for once. Talk about a win, win situation!
All in all, my order was correct and on time. All I had to do was just go into the store and grab it. I didn't have to wait in line and the person who helped me get my order from the back was very nice. Next time I have to plan a big corporate lunch, I won't hesitate to place an order here.
The employees are always friendly. Even when they are busy.
I LOVE their sandwiches. And chili, and coleslaw. I would love the shakes as well, but alas, the calories...
Very affordable and filling.
I think the LS location is nice because of its... location. And option for outdoor seating.
I've only eaten at this location once since I am rarely in Lincoln Square, but I love a restaurant that treats its customers well! I ordered my usual turkey-prov, but the employee accidentally made it with swiss instead. When the sandwich-topper employee asked if I had the turkey-swiss, I said no, turkey-prov, and he immediately re-made it. When I got to the cash register, the manager apologized for making me wait (which I didn't mind at all--I didn't have anywhere to be!), and gave me my sandwich for free. I was completely shocked, but very appreciative.
He was so nice, in fact, that I still feel guilty about never going back, and sometimes think about taking the train up to Lincoln Square just to return to this location, even though I would probably pass at least eight other Potbellys on the trip up there.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I am updating a review of Potbelly's. Leave me alone.
My friend's son needed to potty, so I took the convenient opportunity to try the chocolate-malt milkshake. As I mentioned in the first review, you get a smallish milkshake for a reasonable price. Nobody needs 21 ounces of milkshake. The flavor was very good--perfect on the malt, while the chocolate could have been a touch stronger.
Also, this is worth mentioning: both of the staff who helped me were early 20-somethings who should probably hate serving the public, but they were both unexpectedly and genuinely friendly. That is always a nice touch. It didn't quite grow my Grinch heart three sizes but it elevated my already-good mood.
It's been years since I ate a Potbelly's sandwich, but I noticed that they have a new lighter offering with 1/3 less filling and a lower price. (I forget what they call it and I'm too lazy to open a new tab to look it up.) So between that and the 16-ounce milkshakes, I like what they are doing to try to keep America from getting any fatter than it already is. I'm trying to figure out why I never eat here, especially since there are two convenient to my office, but for some reason Jimmy John's is my chain sandwich-purveyor of choice.
Potbelly is Potbelly. However, a funny anecdote about this location:
After dinner at The Grafton, my…
Read more »
I usually like to try a bunch of things when I go to a restaurant, but at Potbellys I only have one mistress: the chicken salad sandwich. I hate when my chicken salad is too soggy, and Potbellys always does it right. Get it with some tomatoes and lettuce and I'm set to go. While this location has friendly employees (as do most Potbellys, now that I think about it) yesterday I had a bit of a lackluster sandwich experience. Although there were a bunch of people behind the counter, only one guy was making sandwiches and despite the lunchtime rush. He was also taking his sweet time (which is his prerogative given he's probably making minimum wage, but still). Also my sandwich was woefully devoid of chicken salad goodness. If they usually give a scoop this time it was half a scoop at best. Sigh. I missed my sandwich and it's potential for awesome goodness. Maybe next time.
This Potbelly's is not anymore special than any of the other Potbelly's shops. It serves its purpose. I always love a place that gives me the option of having hot peppers on my sandwich.
I would say that this particular one, though, seems to work a little on the slow side. Honestly, they could probably use another person on their team. Still, the atmosphere is nice and relaxed and the sandwiches are still delicious.
Boo! Stay downtown Potbelly!
They opened this location three doors up from Costello's and thus began the corporatization of Lincoln Square. As far as I'm concerned, if you eat at this Potbelly's you're a traitor.
I actually really like this place a lot, and I know it's in Houston but I never got around to eating it untli I moved to Chicago.
I've gone to the location in Lincoln Square several times and tried about 4 different sandwiches w/ different add ons. Every time is great and the're all CHEAP (about $6 if you add on some things). I understand the shakes are good but I'm not really into chocolate.
I will always go here when I need a quick sandwich.
Goodness! So much outrage at Potbelly's foray into the neighborhood zone. Sure, the local spots might be better, but I really have respect for this Potbelly's. Everytime I frequent this spot, the service is outstanding. Everyone is friendly, pays attention to your order and works promptly. It's not every lunch joint that gives you smiles WITH your sandwiches, and as a 9-to-5er in the Ravenswood/Lincoln Square neighborhood, I seriously appreciate that.
I get the same great sandwich every time -- the Italian. Oreo shakes are delicious. Service is usually pretty quick and prices are cheap.
As good as Potbelly tastes, I don't really like chains moving into neighborhoods like Lincoln Square that are so cool without gentrified businesses. But I suppose it's inevitable, Andersonville has an Einstein Bagels. I prefer Costello's down the street -- their sandwiches are bigger, more creative, and they come with a side.
When did Potbelly's start serving salads? I would have come back sooner...
Stopped by this (newer) Lincoln Square location tonite when I saw the big sign for "New Salads" in the window - I got my favorite sammie as a salad: "The Wreck."
Lots of meat, blue cheese, etc. Yummy! Also ordered a giant dill pickle for an extra buck - me loves a good pickle!
Clean, not too noisy, but a bit sterile vibe. Good food, though.
While dining at a table near the window, gazing upon the icy snow my mind wandered to a fro, certainly not relishing the sandwich upon which my teeth did nosh. Those teeth, so stained from the absurdities of a longshoreman's life at sea, did little to awaken the tastebud near thee. It was only the sweetened and soured tartness of the bottled soft drink in my hand which awakened me from the dreary sleep that is lunch at Potbelly.
I want to like this place, really I do, as my wife enjoys their pizza sub and we find so little common ground when it comes to sub shops. Our trip yesterday was designed to find a warm sandwich, instead of our usually Jimmy John's which we both like but get bored with. We had been starving from a winter walk in the forest preserve and a little shopping at The Rack and needed something cheap and easy. It took a drive from Lake County to Lincoln Square to find it, but we did and relished the idea of filling our stomaches with fresh bread and fresher toppings.
Upon our arrival we were promptly asked what we would like, even though I was nowhere near the "order station" and had not even looked at the menu, at least they were prompt. As my wife explained her order to the rotund woman behind the counter I decided on a turkey sandwich (as I've had a few of the others and they are not all that good) and sidled up for my turn. After I uttered turkey sandwich and a small chili I was assaulted by the deafening roar of the aforementioned rotund woman snapping her employees to order and letting the entire restaurant know that I wanted a cup of chili. At which point she turned to me and in a voice only the angels could hear queried my cheese and onion preference. "What?" I uttered as my eardrums had gone on red alert and battened the hatches in preparation of another wave of screaming. More earthquakes of sound emanated as she barked the order for chili to her inferiors. I wept away to pay. Of course, the entire time the inferiors had been paying no mind to the rotund woman, perhaps playing a game of tripoli or chess, and I had to repeat my order four more times, twice to the girl pressing buttons on the cash register, and twice to the boy who actually ladled my chili and cheese, no onions. Imagine my surprise to find that the cheese was AMERICAN. What kind of a world do we live in that my chili has Kraft singles laid on top. I have not eaten a Kraft single since my dad got a job.
As we were seated and I looked so longingly at the outside, I told my wife that I never wanted to go back to Potbelly. It isn't that the sandwiches are mediocre at best, or the yelling (which continued with every customer order while I attempted to eat in peace), or the laissez faire attitude of the underlings. It is the fact that it is the Starbucks of sandwich shops. And I hate Starbucks. Wife thinks that Panera is the Starbucks of sandwich shops and I partially agree in it's generic and awfully designed layouts, but I think Potbelly is the Starbucks of sandwich shops since they have the microphone and amp ready for open mic night, they all look exactly the same with their woodsy charm, they are too orderly in their ordering system (Panera has menus hidden in every corner of the joint, they are just too inconsistent to be in the same class as Starbucks), Potbelly has it all down to a science.
Next time walk another block south and try Costello, at least they look at you when you talk.
Nothing special about this place. The sandwiches are typical Potbelly's fare - a bit on the small size and passable.
The staff here is kind of slow and spacey at times. If you eat in be prepared for lots of kids running around.
I remember the first time I had pot belly's, wasn't sure what to expect. the bread was good. and that's 80% of a great sandwich. it was made with speed too.
A chain restaurant moving into Lincoln Square is highly debatable, but I can't argue against a good sandwich and tasty milkshake. Besides, Potbelly's is no ordinary chain to me (a la McD's or BK). They still retain some personality and the service inside is super friendly. I used to drive all the way to Lincoln Park or Evanston for my Potbelly's fix so I've got no complaints about this one moving into my 'hood!
There's nothing stellar about the chain or about this Lincoln Square location. But when I come here, I know I can get a tasty sandwich made quickly for not a lot of money.
This location offers outdoor seating not far from The Square which is really nice when its warm out.
And if your timing is right when you're here, you just might get a very interesting ear-full from the woman selling Streetwise who camps out right by the door.
Ah Potbelly's. Always consistent in my experience. Sandwiches are good, the cookies are great, and the service is better than most sandwich shops. Never got a wrong order and I can't really explain why. The folks working there have the same do-rags, tattoos and piercings as similar places, but for some reason things just seem to go smoothly. The hot peppers kick-ass. I could do without the aspiring Arlo Guthrie playing guitar up in the loft, but I rarely dine-in anyway so sing on and let your freak flag fly gentle loft hippie.
I love Potbelly's! You don't really appreciate it until you don't have one near your office or home. I used to live and work in Evanston and didn't appreciate it because I could go whenever I wanted. Now that I work in the North Park neighborhood and live in Edgewater I miss it a lot. I know their sandwiches are simple and nothing too exciting but they're really good. They also have great shakes. I venture to this location some on my lunch when I'm up for a drive and need a fix. This location doesn't get too busy on the week days so it's easy to get in and out and find seating.
The sandwich's are terrible. And expensive for a tiny sand which that they give. And to top it off the service is lousy, What i mean is they mess up on your order. rip off!!!
Very convenient, fast and friendly service. Get to know the staff and they'll treat you right.
Fast and good. Costello's is great too. We ate here (and at Costello's) when we lived in Lincoln Square and both were good. Eat at both- lunch at Potbelly's and dinner at Costello's!
The sandwiches are fine, but the ingredients are nothing special and they are pretty small. There also is not a big selection of sandwiches. If you are in LIncoln Square I would recommend the Costello's three doors down instead, they have a much better sandwich with many more choices on the menu.
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square
Category: Sandwiches
Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village
Category: Art Galleries
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: North Center
Category: Pizza
Your go-to Lincoln Square guide from a true…
Lincoln Square is the only perfect neighborhood in…
The places I frequent in and around Lincoln…
I am a FIEND for delicious frozen treats. Here…
