Potbelly Sandwich Works: Big Sandwiches for a Small Price
During a recent trip to Washington, D.C. I was sent on a mission of the self-proposed, self-beneficial kind, to revisit one of my favorite fast-food chains in the country: Potbelly Sandwich Works. By subjecting myself to a variety of their sandwiches, I was to determine once and for all whether Potbelly’s was actually good. Having returned from my journey, I’d like to report back with a stellar "yes" to my query and frankly, I’m much relieved.
This is a sore point with me—that sometimes I will harbor the childhood notion that something is delicious only to discover years later that I was mistaken, due mostly to an inexperienced palate. I’m sure that I’m not alone in this sentiment. Have you ever encountered fast food items that so captured your heart in your younger years that you would still gravitate towards them today, even with the knowledge deep-down that they just aren't that good? For me, this is true of, say, the french fries at Burger King, the honey biscuits from Popeye’s Chicken, and Doritos Cool Ranch chips. (Although, to my memory, the biscuits at Popeye's are pretty tasty for what they are. There is this glaze that the Popeye's people drizzle all over their biscuits and when the biscuits are warmed, the outer crust becomes crisp, but the inside is still tender and tastes like butter, though I'm sure it's really just butter flavoring.)
Happily, I was to re-discover in D.C. that Potbelly sandwiches aren't just seemingly good; they really are very tasty sandwiches for an extremely reasonable price. Over the years the Potbelly dominion has expanded to encompass two hundred locations, much of it in the Midwest and Texas. Originally the outgrowth of an antique store in Chicago, the Potbelly locations maintain a kitschy feel that is nevertheless welcoming.
The distinctive feature of a Potbelly sandwich is a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with an interior that is toasted along with the bread and then topped with your choice of accoutrements. The layer of bread, though thin, remains pleasantly chewy and well toasted on the outside and holds up to the warm filling inside. The ratio of bread-to-interior items is carefully executed; instead of an overwhelming amount of filling piled in, there’s a select number of fresh-tasting items. The Italian sandwich, for instance, includes well-measured slices of good-quality salami and mortadella, both of which are appropriately meaty and fatty.
Like the Italian, the best sandwiches at Potbelly are the ones that exercise restraint. Bordering on seriously delicious, their meatball sandwich is one of my favorites—a few juicy meatballs, surprising porky, are dressed in a tomato sauce that is more sweet than acidic. With melted cheese and Italian seasonings added in, the meatball sub is hearty yet soothing, a rare combination for fast food these days.
For tuna salad lovers, the Potbelly tuna sandwich is a stellar rendition with a creamy filling that doesn't ooze annoyingly out of the sandwich just when you've reached the midway point. The tuna itself is broken up slightly more than I would prefer, but still, the sandwich follows the Potbelly line of balancing carbs and protein.
The weaker sandwich offerings are the ones that have too much going on at the same time. The Wreck, an Italian sub meets roast beef sandwich meets turkey and ham, is just too heavy on the filling, though it may appeal to the indecisive eater.
All sandwiches are set at the low price of $4.50, and in all my years of Potbelly consumption I've never been able to finish one by myself. I must be in the minority here, because in recent years they’ve begun to offer "Bigs," which are advertised as "30% more of what you love" for $5.50. Still, I consider this a boon. If I were to go with a friend, the both of us could get reasonably full on just one sandwich and still have enough room for dessert, which if you were I, would be a honey biscuit from a nearby Popeye’s.
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
38 Comments:
"Over the years the Potbelly dominion has expanded to encompass two hundred locations, much of it in the Midwest and Texas. Originally the outgrowth of an antique store, ..."
An antique store in Chicago. Seems worth pointing out since those unfamiliar might otherwise think that Potbelly was a DC institution.
me3dia at 5:26PM on 07/22/09
Potbellys are great little sandwiches when you want something quick and tasty. They also have turned many of their subs into salads as well.
I love their hot pepper mix with jalapenos, carrots, cauliflower, celery and olives.
The only issue I have with them is they have oil on the menu, but where's the red wine vinegar? I usually bring one home and add it myself.
dozertx at 5:52PM on 07/22/09
Skip the honey biscuit and instead wash down your sandwich with one of Potbelly's great milkshakes, all of which come with an adorable daisy-shaped butter cookie that sits on the straw. I like the chocolate malted. It's better than dessert!
tracyschneider at 5:53PM on 07/22/09
@me3dia: Thanks for the info! I will add that in.
roboppy at 5:54PM on 07/22/09
Its all about the peppers, yum!
sally599 at 6:11PM on 07/22/09
Potbellys and Chipotle are two of my reliable go to chains when you want a quick meal that is superior tasting to drive thru. My favorite is their roast beef.
missjess at 6:38PM on 07/22/09
hot peppers are a must have.
greggg at 6:54PM on 07/22/09
I second the hot peppers. I LOVE the toasted italian sub - have to get it every time I visit the rents in Chicago since they don't have it in Boston yet...
misterhee at 7:29PM on 07/22/09
Chichi, I love you girl, but... you've never been able to finish a whole Potbelly sandwich? I get a sandwich and a pickle and I'm not even that full. Most of the guys I know had issues with how small the original sandwiches are. Almost everyone I know gets a big. Maybe we're pigs, though.
BangieB at 7:43PM on 07/22/09
Ok, those regular sandwiches are BIG. I've been known to win very small-scale hamburger eating contests, and I still think that those potbelly sandwiches are too big for one person to eat comfortably. But I'm a small person, so maybe you have a point!
Chichi Wang at 8:01PM on 07/22/09
Wow! Those sandwiches look so good - it's hard to believe they're healthy!
rawfoods at 8:11PM on 07/22/09
I agree--get yourself a milkshake. Very tasty and the cookie accent is adorable.
jhoefl88 at 8:38PM on 07/22/09
I look forward to stopovers in certain airports - Midway is the closest one to the west - because I know they have a Potbelly. Yummy and totally worth missing a flight if I need to.
tinat at 8:52PM on 07/22/09
greggg
greggg at 11:52PM on 07/22/09
Chichi, next time order a skinny sandwich for $4.00 (in the DC area)--they come in turkey (my fave), ham and mushroom melt (veggie). They use 1/3 less bread, meat and cheese. Sounds perfect for you!
And yes, by all means, try the hot peppers. Mmmmmm.
raspberryberet at 9:46AM on 07/23/09
I forgot to mention--if you're wedded to having an Italian, ask for it on skinny bread to lighten the load a bit.
raspberryberet at 9:47AM on 07/23/09
@BangieB -- same here, but then again, I'm from the midwest and always finish my plate. May be an east coast thing. Besides, didn't they just come out with a jumbo sandwich or some such, a few inches longer?
Secondly, nothing wrong with the Wreck, seems to be the second most popular (after the Italian) everytime I've been in Potbelly's.
anysuchname at 12:04PM on 07/23/09
Shredded lettuce and tomato on a meatball sub? No thanks!
DanielJ at 12:05PM on 07/23/09
@tracyschneider: The Potbelly cookie straws! Such a sucker for those.
Erin Zimmer at 12:28PM on 07/23/09
@anysuchname: Yep, midwest here too, in Madison WI. Maybe you're right. I'm a... robust woman.
And yeah, I do get the bigs sometimes when I go. It's big even for me, though, depending upon the filling I get.
BangieB at 1:14PM on 07/23/09
I've given Potbelly's a fair share of money in the past couple years, as I frequent Potbelly's for lunch a ton. From their pineapple coconut smoothies to their turkey on wheat sandwiches and the newly sold Zapps chips, I just can't get enough. I like their hot peppers too!
Chew on That at 4:09PM on 07/23/09
Hm I'm a relatively small person also but I've never had any problem finishing a Potbelly sandwich by myself...with chips and/or a milkshake alongside. I suppose I'm a big eater! Also, I really like the Wreck.
@DanielJ: Ditto, definitely no lettuce and tomato on a meatball sub!
wrain at 4:17PM on 07/23/09
I love the chicken salad with extra hot peppers! The mini bag of oatmeal cookies are also a huge hit at my office. Yum!
jam114 at 5:48PM on 07/23/09
ok.. one: i LOVE the wreck when i just want a sammich. when i want something insane, i go for the italian with everything. and why didn't you mention the shakes/smoothies? they're almost as fantastic as the sammiches.
fetacrackwhore at 9:38PM on 07/23/09
The wreck is my favorite sandwich from Potbelly
jlewfoodie at 10:47PM on 07/23/09
History of my Potbelly experiences:
Day 1 - Go to the Potbelly across the street from my apartment for the first time. Order a Wreck with everything except pickles and tomatoes. Nearly die from overwhelming tastiness.
Days 2-153 (or thereabout) Do the same thing at least three times a week. Renew lease at apartment because of proximity to said Potbelly. During this time realize that their vegetable soup cures hangovers miraculously.
Day 154 - Discover the Italian with everything except pickles and tomatoes. Nearly die again from recurring overwhelming tastiness.
Days 125-750 - Have seen the price go up from $3.59 to $4.50 a sandwich, the introduction of salads and the skinny and big, and witnessed the change to Zapp's chips. Also tried the Cholula hot sauce (it's fine). If Potbelly were a woman, I'd ask for her hand in marriage.
rvana63 at 9:19AM on 07/24/09
Oh, heavens, I LOVE Potbelly! Bite your tongue for insulting my beloved Wreck Sammich. Love that thing, and love the masochistic burn of those hot peppers.
jackiejoy at 9:30PM on 07/25/09
The have the best warm peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Coupled with a cup of milk definitely a nice layover treat.
jovan at 1:21AM on 07/26/09
Rock it out. Do they still sell the pizza sandwich?
runnereater at 5:30PM on 07/26/09
If there's no lettuce and tomato, what makes it a sub? Without L&T, it's just a meatball sandwich.
Kaelsma at 10:53AM on 07/27/09
I am not really a fan, but my boyfriend likes their breakfast sandwiches when we are traveling early morning in airports.
DrKat at 12:49PM on 07/27/09
Love their roast beef sandwich, and the peppers yum. I have them just do a light amount of peppers and it is perfection. I didn't know they had breakfast, maybe not here in Michigan yet.
hooverdoover at 1:36PM on 07/27/09
NEVER HAD ONE OR HEARD OF IT [CURSE OF CALIFORNIA] LOOKS GREAT ! I WANT A MEATBALL POTBELLY NOW !
I hollow out the bread when I make that type of sandwich at home and toast it too. They got it spot on !
shipwreck at 1:36PM on 07/27/09
I'm craving Potbelly now...a sub chain that also serves milkshakes!
GrubGrade at 4:13PM on 07/27/09
So funny to see this in my email. I was JUST (i.e., two minutes ago) fantasizing about quitting my job and opening a Potbelly near my Wall St. office. (Seriously, lunch options suck around here, I'm jealous of everyone who works in midtown.)
I, too, am a DC transplant and miss my vegetarian yum sandwiches. And the cookie on the (strawberry) milkshake straw - loved it!
fatcat at 4:48PM on 07/27/09
THANK YOU! I had been avoiding Potbelly for years - thinking it would be too heavy/bready. After reading the article and comments, headed immediately to the nearest Potbelly and had the Italian (no lettuce ... warm lettuce gives me the heebies) and adored the hot peppers and chocolate malt. Going back tomorrow for a salad.
Anneesha at 11:24AM on 07/29/09
By far, the best Potbelly sandwich is a meatball with hot peppers, mushrooms, lettuce and tomato. I've tried everything on and off their menu (ask about the secret sandwiches) and it's the one I always come back to. I'm mildly concerned about moving away, because what will I eat when I need a hot sandwich fix?
Anran at 11:57AM on 07/29/09
I love this place and so sad that there are none in North Jersey where I have moved.....was in Philly the other day and planned a stop on the way home....got the tuna, no cheese, pickles - L&T and HOT PEPPERS.....also bought 2 jars of the peppers to bring home. A few weeks ago I had to eat with a co-worker at a Quizno's and made them toast the tuna with no cheese and they asked 3 times and even had the manager come to verify what I had requested. Sadly that wasn't even close to having a Potbelly sandwich. After I ate the other day, I regretted not getting the large - I contemplated ordering a 2nd regular but thought the staff might think I have an eating disorder - the only disorder is that I don't have a Potbelly near me!
jrjka at 10:42AM on 09/05/09