While wandering the quaint streets of the FiDi the other day, Sofia and I came across the Chicago sandwich institution, Potbelly Sandwich Shop. Curious and hungry, I texted my buddy Ari, a Chicago native, to see if it was worth our buck. She immediately responded with something like this, “OMFG YES!!!! EAT OR DIE!!! ###$$$dfgdjkhgdFU.”
It was then with high hopes that we entered the wood trimmed, warmly lit, 90s-esque Potbelly dining room. The first Potbelly was a small antiques shop on Lincoln Avenue owned by a young couple, who one day decided to start making sandwiches for its customers. When they realized their customers were only after their sandwiches, they knew they were onto a good thing.
So what about the sandwiches? Well, first you choose your bread (regular or multigrain), then your fillings (chicken, cheeses, salami, roast beef, or meatball with marinara sauce). The open-faced sandwich then goes through a conveyor belt that melts everything meltable and toasts the bread ever so slightly. Next, come the toppings: mayo, peppers, pickles, onion, tomato and Italian seasoning.
Salads, shakes, and soups are also available, but I was too busy inhaling my Vegetarian with lettuce, peppers, and onions on multigrain ($5.99) to notice. As for Sofia, she demolished her Wreck with the works ($6.32) in about two minutes flat. What stood out to me the most was the soft, textured and real-tasting bread. The provolone also romanced me, but that’s not anything new. The super soft and gooey oatmeal chocolate chip cookie ($1.52) was the cherry on top.
While we usually stray away from chain spots here at OC, Potbelly is an anomaly among other cookie-cutter sandwich joints. The folks behind the counter, working the sandwich production line for all to see, are friendly and enthusiastic, and not in a weird “Tip me, Lady” kinda way. The perfect respite for any Century 21 kamikaze mission, or hard day spent scouting that banker daddy you've been dreaming about.
POTBELLY SANDWICH SHOP
101 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
MAP![]()
The juicy ends of the Wreck
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A Wreck (also their most popular sandwich) in the making
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Vegetarian with lettuce, peppers, and onions on multigrain ($5.99)
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A Wreck with the the lot on white bread ($6.32)
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It was then with high hopes that we entered the wood trimmed, warmly lit, 90s-esque Potbelly dining room. The first Potbelly was a small antiques shop on Lincoln Avenue owned by a young couple, who one day decided to start making sandwiches for its customers. When they realized their customers were only after their sandwiches, they knew they were onto a good thing.
So what about the sandwiches? Well, first you choose your bread (regular or multigrain), then your fillings (chicken, cheeses, salami, roast beef, or meatball with marinara sauce). The open-faced sandwich then goes through a conveyor belt that melts everything meltable and toasts the bread ever so slightly. Next, come the toppings: mayo, peppers, pickles, onion, tomato and Italian seasoning.
Salads, shakes, and soups are also available, but I was too busy inhaling my Vegetarian with lettuce, peppers, and onions on multigrain ($5.99) to notice. As for Sofia, she demolished her Wreck with the works ($6.32) in about two minutes flat. What stood out to me the most was the soft, textured and real-tasting bread. The provolone also romanced me, but that’s not anything new. The super soft and gooey oatmeal chocolate chip cookie ($1.52) was the cherry on top.
While we usually stray away from chain spots here at OC, Potbelly is an anomaly among other cookie-cutter sandwich joints. The folks behind the counter, working the sandwich production line for all to see, are friendly and enthusiastic, and not in a weird “Tip me, Lady” kinda way. The perfect respite for any Century 21 kamikaze mission, or hard day spent scouting that banker daddy you've been dreaming about.
POTBELLY SANDWICH SHOP
101 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
MAP
The juicy ends of the Wreck
A Wreck (also their most popular sandwich) in the making
Vegetarian with lettuce, peppers, and onions on multigrain ($5.99)
A Wreck with the the lot on white bread ($6.32)
