Potbelly — Restaurant in Florida

I have waited to write this review because I had Potbelly at the airport 2 years ago and I remember it being one of the best sandwiches I'd had! Unfortunately after 3 different visits to this location, I have to leave a review that is less than I'd like.

The story - out of our 3 visits: @First was to-go right after they opened and we shared some sandwiches and soups between family. The sandwiches had little flavor and were soggy with some type of lettuce based slaw (little did I know it was just lettuce and WAY too much mayo) and the soups were gritty and flavorless however I chalked this up to either to-go-woes or new store issues and kept my mouth shut. @Second was just my wife and I, about 2 weeks later, and we ate in this time. I ordered the A Wreck with Bacon and added both loaded potato and broccoli cheddar soups to our meals (as well as some voodoo chips). When I got to add toppings to my sub, I found out that they only had brown/deli mustard, which I am not a fan of, so I only asked for mayo. They proceeded to DRENCH my sub in mayo. They do not have olives, spinach, banana peppers, vinegar, regular/crunchy pickles (they have pickles ribbons so thin you can't taste them) or many other sandwich toppings so you're VERY limited. I got all the things I like and got a side of their peppers which were interesting but not something I'd want on my sandwich. I was not impressed with the sandwich. The bacon was delicious and the meat was okay but the rest of it was just a mayonaisey mess. The soups were hot but didn't have any more flavor than the time we got them to-go. @Third was today with my grandmother. I tried the Italian this time (with bacon of course) and it definitely had more flavor than A Wreck so kudos to them for that however I finally figured out the problem with these sandwiches - there's no acid/bite! No yellow mustard, no vinegar, super weak pickles and way too much mayo again (this time I'll take the blame - I totally forgot about this issue until it was too late to tell him no). I got some of the "hotter 'n hot jalapeno" kettle chips and put those on my sandwich which helped with texture so this was the best sandwich I'd had from them but still a 3/5. Also, eating the "hotter 'n hot jalapeno chips" by themselves - they were definitely not hot at all.

Needless to say, I don't think we'll be back as I've given it a couple tries and just wasn't impressed. There wasn't anything bad and I'm sure many people will LOVE the simplicity of it and there are good flavors in that but just not my type...

I think I need to try the Wreck sandwich next time. It seems like that is the popular sandwich. My last 2 choices were just okay. I downloaded the app because they really do have a wonderful perks program. I got a free cookie after my first order using the app. I chose the pick your pair option and got the Tuna Salad sandwich with the Garden Vegetable soup. I had read somewhere that the tuna salad was the best tuna salad that someone ever had. Well, it was also the saltiest tuna salad. Don't get me wrong. A little salt is good but I wasn't in love with this sandwich. The soup was good, and the free Chocolate Brownie cookie was delicious and and so full of dark chocolate. I'm one of those people that experiences that dark chocolate sneeze (photic sneeze reflex) when taking the first bite of dark chocolate. I knew right away that it was a good quality cookie. I love it! I would totally get that cookie again and again.

My second visit was to pick up my free original sandwich. Yes, another perk from the app after your very first order. I love that they do this. There are more perks as you start accumulating points. This time I chose the Pizza Melt sandwich. It was good, but nothing that I would ever go back for again. The Dream Bar was really great. I loved the oats, chocolate, and caramel in that bar. They do give it to you cold, or at least that's how I received it. It was like it came out of a refrigerator case. But, 15 seconds in the microwave made it taste like it was fresh out of the oven. This is another item I would go back for. They also serve Zapp's potato chips. The voodoo flavor is a favorite in our household. I know you can get them at other places, but it's nice to have this brand and choice of flavor at a sandwich shop.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop gets an extra star because of the perks, variety of items offered, and the service. I know the big draw is having your bread toasted, but that's really not my thing. I prefer Publix deli subs with Boar's Head meats and lots of veggies. I do want to go back and try the Wreck and a shake one day soon. They do have certain days of the week when you can earn 2 or 3 times the points towards your free sandwich as well. Yep, I just want to earn points for that free sandwich like Elaine on Seinfeld. I want...

I'm writing this review after my second pickup order. First, I will say that the sandwiches were ok and there was nothing wrong with the food. Although they were not toasted like I asked.

What really isn't working is their operations. I had to wait 10 minutes past my pickup time the first time I ordered. Today, I asked a team member after I had been waiting 15 minutes about my sandwich. He barely acknowledged me, looked at his screen and then said it's being made while going about his business and not checking with his colleague who was working on the pickup orders. 5 minutes later and still no sandwich - we are now 20 minutes past the pickup time. Meanwhile, there have been several people that walked in, ordered, sat down and finished their sandwich. When it finally came out along with 10 other orders, there was no apology or even acknowledgement of being 20 minutes late. And the sandwich was cold because it had just been sitting on the counter this entire time. Everyone just seemed miserable and either poorly trained or just uncaring. I will not be...