Eat SafelyIn Florida
Home/Sarasota/POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS

POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS

1635 TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota FL 34239 · (941) 231-0960

Last inspected Mar 25, 2026 · 9 visits since July 2023

Licence typeRestaurant
Seats50
Risk levelRisk Level 2
LicenceSEA6804700
Grade history
NOV 23
MAY 25
AUG 25
JAN 26
MAR 26
— STEADY

5 inspections within 22 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.

Worst finding on record
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 12/1/25. Please renew at www.myfloridalicense.com
High priority/50-17-3/Warning
Badges — none earned
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined

Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →

Disciplinary actions

1 case · $160

CaseViolation dateFinal orderAmount
7--2021043883Aug 23, 2021Oct 27, 2021$160

Inspection history

9 visits, newest first

Mar 25, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedLicensing Inspection

A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Mar 24, 2026Warning IssuedLicensing Inspection

Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 1 recorded, 1 high priority.

1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.Observed in reach in cooler facing front counter closest to kitchen door,cold holding pork 47F, ham 47F, turkey 46F, chicken salad 45F, sliced cheese 49F. Employee removed items to walkin freezer.
High priority/03A-02-5/Corrective Action Taken/Warning
Mar 24, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection

A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jan 20, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection

Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 1 high priority.

1 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 12/1/25. Please renew at www.myfloridalicense.com
High priority/50-17-3/Warning
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Observed no plan for cleaning body fluids. Printed for person in charge, and emailed.
Intermediate/11-27-4/Corrective Action Taken/Warning
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed Jose and Jessica working over 60 days without food handler.
Intermediate/53B-01-5/Warning
Food stored on floor.Observed case of rolls on floor in rear preparation area. Employee removed.
Basic/08B-38-4/Corrected On-Site/Warning
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.Observed utensils in water at 82F by ice cream freezer. Employee removed.
Basic/10-07-4/Corrected On-Site/Warning
Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed case of disposable gloves on floor.
Basic/25-05-4/Repeat Violation/Warning
Oct 27, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection

A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 25, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection

Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 2 recorded.

0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Intermediate/53B-01-5/Warning
Single-service articles improperly stored.Observed plastic containers on floor in dry storage area. Manager relocated.
Basic/25-05-4/Corrected On-Site
May 16, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection

Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Nov 15, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

1 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed cook not washing hands prior to donning gloves. Spoke with manager.
High priority/12A-07-5/Corrective Action Taken
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times.Observed hand wash sink blocked by bakers rack. Relocated rack.
Intermediate/31A-09-4/Corrected On-Site
No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.Emailed to manager who printed and signed.
Intermediate/11-26-1/Corrected On-Site
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.Observed black substance inside ice machine on chute guard.
Basic/22-20-5
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed.Observed debris behind ice machine near dry storage area.
Basic/36-01-4
Grease receptacle/dumpster not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface. Observed dumpsters located mainly on grass/dirt.
Basic/33-23-4
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.Observed food debris inside reachin cooler and on side of reachin cooler under grill on cook line.
Basic/23-03-4
Jul 10, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

3 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed Refried Beans overnight in Walkin Cooler at 46F. Manager discarded.
High priority/01B-02-5
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.Observed refried beans in Walkin Cooler over night at 46F, manager discarded.
High priority/03A-02-5
Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles.Observed sanitizer bucket at approximately 400 ppm with quaternary. Manager corrected to 200.
High priority/41-15-5/Corrected On-Site
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Emailed manager plan.
Intermediate/11-27-4/Corrective Action Taken
Drain cover(s) missing.Observed floor drain cover missing under Reachin Cooler on cooks line.
Basic/29-18-4
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Basic/13-04-4

This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.