Potbelly — Restaurant in Washington

This complaint concerns an incident of assault that occurred at the Potbelly's Sandwich Shop located at 1275 First St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002 on June 25, 2024, at approximately 8:55 PM. I entered the store to find no employees present at the counter or sandwich station. AS I was reading the menu boards, an employee emerged from the back kitchen area and aggressively told me the store was closed. Upon my request for clarification regarding the closing time, the employee became more aggressive and repeated in a confrontational manner “we closed,” as he began to walk from the employee side of the sandwich station to the customer side. As I began walking toward the exit, I politely pointed out that the doors should be locked if the store was in fact closed to avoid customer confusion. This comment prompted more aggression from the employee, who then demanded that I “say something again.” When I repeated the statement in a calm and normal tone, he then violently assaulted me by striking me in the face with his fist. The punch triggered a physical altercation, which resulted in my cell phone somehow dropping to the floor. During the scuffle, a 2nd male employee emerged from the kitchen area and began holding me, while the first employee picked himself up from the floor. When I managed to break free of the second employee, I witnessed the first employee take my phone and retreat to the kitchen area. The second employee followed him into the kitchen as well. At that time, I needed to catch my breath for several minutes since everything happened extremely fast. As I started to walk to the kitchen to retrieve my phone, a third female employee stood at the cash register and warned me not to go back to the kitchen. She specifically said, "don't lose your life for them." employees.” At she said this, the second male employee emerged from the kitchen wielding a 12-inch knife. Fearing for my safety, I retreated to the customer seating area and picked up a decorative object near a customer booth. I held this object defensively to deter his attack, yet he continued to walk toward me with the knife. He eventually stopped as I held the object higher preparing to swing it. At that point, I yelled loudly to “bring me my phone.” The first employee then emerged from the kitchen with my phone in his hand and slammed it on a customer booth directly between myself and the employee who was holding the knife. He immediately walked back to the kitchen area afterward. I slowly retrieved my phone from the customer booth while still holding the object in my hand and looking directly at the employee who was holding the knife. I picked my phone up from the table and then walked out of the store. Once outside the store, I immediately called police, who arrived on the scene minutes later. I explained the entire incident to the police, yet because it was approximately 9:30p and I needed to get home to my family and I agreed to file a report at later time. Since the incident, I have suffered from increasingly severe shoulder and neck pain, which consistently affects my sleep. I am currently under the care of a doctor for this injury. Additionally, I am concerned that my cell phone was accessed by the employee who took possession of it for a short time after the altercation. This entire ordeal has left me deeply shaken and traumatized. I believe the two employees involved in this incident exhibited a complete disregard for customer safety and acted in a manner that was both unprofessional and illegal. I urge you to take immediate action to address this serious incident, including: •Disciplinary action against the employees involved, including termination. •A thorough investigation into the assault to include review of camera...

Today, I had the pleasure of dining at Potbelly, located at 1275 1st Street NE, and it was truly an exceptional experience. My meal was prepared by Theresa, whose outstanding customer service truly made the visit memorable. From the moment I walked in, her warm and inviting demeanor created such a welcoming atmosphere. Theresa crafted a phenomenal sandwich with incredible care and precision, and it was clear that she takes great pride in her work. Every bite was absolutely delicious, reflecting her dedication to quality and excellence.

Theresa isn’t just a skilled sandwich maker—she’s a true gem in hospitality. Every time I visit, her genuine kindness and attention to detail make the experience stand out. Her ability to connect with customers and provide such personalized service is rare and greatly appreciated.

I also want to commend the entire team at this Potbelly location. The staff consistently creates a friendly and efficient environment that enhances the overall experience. It’s evident that everyone works together to maintain high standards in both food and service.

A heartfelt thank you to Theresa and the entire Potbelly team for their hard work and commitment to excellence. You’ve made every visit a delight, and I look forward to returning for more great food and...

My time at Potbelly Sandwich shop was really disappointing because of a mean older lady who worked there. Even though I like their sandwiches, this store let me down. Lots of people have said the same thing about this lady in their reviews.

I ordered my food online but when I got there, it wasn't ready. So, I sat down to wait. But this lady started yelling at me, saying I had to move because she had cleaned the seats. I did what she said, but she kept being rude the whole time.

When I finally got my food, I asked her why she had to be so mean. I told her I had the right to sit wherever I wanted as long as the store was open. But she just told me I wasn't welcome there anymore. This isn't the first time she's been rude; she told my friend the bathroom was closed because she had cleaned it.

Such behavior not only drives customers away but also tarnishes Potbelly’s reputation. This is certainly not the experience the company aims to provide, and it’s disheartening to see such unwelcoming attitudes prevail in what should be a welcoming...