Potbelly — Restaurant in Boston

Venturing into Potbelly Sandwich Shop in Champaign, Illinois, for the first time transcended mere gastronomy; it was an immersive introduction. The precise year eludes recall, hovering somewhere between six and eight years prior, yet the recollection remains strikingly vivid. Opting for their Italian—a perennial favorite—proved to be revelatory, a meticulously orchestrated composition of superior meats, impeccably crisp produce, and nuanced spices that pirouetted across the palate. This confluence engendered a flavor signature so definitively Potbelly's that it has lingered in my epicurean reveries ever since. The geographical scarcity of Potbelly's establishments has imbued each subsequent visit with the gravitas of a pilgrimage. Upon entry, one is immediately swathed in an ambiance that is simultaneously reassuring and invigorating—a singular fusion of Southern cordiality, Chicagoan verve, and authentic Italian panache. The emblematic potbelly stove insignia, resplendent in the window and encircled by vintage photographs, serves as a temporal portal, transporting me back to that initial, indelible sandwich encounter, thereby setting the stage for another extraordinary indulgence. The personnel, while not excessively demonstrative, are commendably efficient and affable, adroitly assembling our takeaway order with noteworthy alacrity and exactitude. The zenith of the experience, however, was realized upon unwrapping the BBQ Mac & Cheese sandwich. Having sampled a plethora of iterations of these quintessential comfort foods from Iowa to Texas, Florida to California, this particular rendition occupied an echelon of its own. The inaugural bite unleashed an efflorescence of unctuous, opulent cheese—a virtuoso mélange of several varietals—harmoniously paired with exquisitely tender, lusciously sauced pork, immersed in a saccharine yet piquant BBQ reduction that resonated impeccably with the luxuriant macaroni and cheese. Consumed with unparalleled rapidity, each mouthful served as an eloquent attestation to the culinary acumen at play. For those uninitiated into the Potbelly's oeuvre, I proffer this counsel: commence with either the Italian or the BBQ Mac & Cheese. Irrespective of your selection, ensure that you do not depart without sampling their in-house baked cookies. The chocolate brownie and s'mores variants are unequivocally divine—so singularly exceptional, in fact, that one might as well procure both. I extend my gratitude to Potbelly's for consistently surpassing anticipations and for curating sandwiches that transcend mere sustenance, evolving into indelible...

I LOVE POTBELLY! Did ya hear me? I’ll say it again… I! LOVE! POTBELLY! Ain’t that the worst thing you’ve ever heard 🤣🤣??!! But in all seriousness… when ya ask me what I love most, I forget about my wife and kids and I scream “potbelly!”. That’s caused a few family arguments! Hah! The reason I mention my love for potbelly is because this location really let me down. Yeah, yeah… I know its in an airport and all, but c’mon! The workers were so hostile! The man taking my order scowled “next” when I was already at the counter. But he did the job, so I’ll give him that credit I guess. The lady asking for my toppings was the least hostile. Give her a raise! Hah! But boy, oh boy… the lady working where I was paying was like the hostile woman final boss 😅. She made me SO uncomfortable. She asked for what I ordered (and I gave it to her!) and then she practically yelled “anything else?” As if she was grounding me. I told her my toppings, and then she said, “SIR, I SAID ANYTHING ELSE!” I was taken aback. This is undoubtedly one of the worst workers I have ever come across. Now I’m not tellin ya how to run your establishment… but my, oh my, I would get a reality check STAT. You cannot be treating paying customers like this. We did nothing wrong! I get that you’re stressed, but making me flat out uncomfortable is weird and I don’t like that. Safe to say I am NEVER coming back and I would not recommend this to anyone. Plus, the proportions on my sandwich were wonked out! Hah! They couldn’t even get that right!

Your honest and telling...

See the edited post below. Original post left for comparison.

Original post:

Great sandwiches, horrible service. I know you’re busy and “it’s called business”, but if you serve people you get more business. One day, the meat for “A-Wreck” was not in stock, but they had the meat for it, just not pre-packaged, and the sandwich maker made one right on the spot for me! That’s excellent service. Today, the sandwich maker felt it was better to have an attitude than to politely say they don’t have the meats ready, or even available to make it on the spot by combining it right there. Often times, the shop is understaffed or the workers move slow. Sometimes, pilots need to eat and run so we can be ready to serve our customers. I suggest the management review staff periodically to see who is turning away business and who serves the customer base and their business better.

Edited review on 10 July 2019, after the management replied and changed the attitude of the staff (changed from 2 stars to 5 stars):

I have returned to find the staff have a new attitude and are willing to help. They made sure they had the right bread and sandwich and explained why they might not have a certain item. This is the service people need. Now, since the sandwiches are delicious and beat anybody else’s sandwiches, you need to experience this place for yourself. Best smells in the whole airport! Get the app before arriving...