Tried to call and number is not answering. Looks like they are temporarily CLOSED??? I hope they reopen soon!!!
A. Ben M.
As the last reviewer posted, it is unfortunately not a surprise that they permanently closed. The food, quality, and service was not up to Potbelly standards and never really improved during the time they were open. The service in particular was awful. This never felt like a "real" Potbelly as in Chicago and other locations. Here's hoping that a location can open elsewhere in Southern California with proper staff, training, and quality of food.
John Han
Great food, but location closing!
Enrico A.
I came here today and it looks like it's closed permanently. All the windows are covered and there was a sign company taking down all the signs.
Annie H.
I went to get sandwiches today because I learned it was closing. So sad. I went a few times before but I just wanted to let the owner know that this Potbelly did not meet the expectations of other Potbelly's I've been to. I went to school in Chicago and probably went at least once a week to get food and the service was always on point. However this location always had horrible service. The young servers did not show any enthusiasm or seem to even want to be there. In Chicago; going to potbelly was an awesome experience. It reminded me of going to Coldstone where they call out orders and sang songs if you tipped them. They seemed to like working there and put their heart into making sandwiches. I honestly think if you put motivated individuals behind the counter, the food will taste better. They were not well trained at all. Each time I went there, they never knew what type of sandwich was coming out of the conveyor belt. If you ever get into another food service business please hire workers like in n out or Chick-fil-A. Every time I go there, all those young workers are highly motivated and well trained. Sandwiches here tasted mediocre compared to Chicago and prices were steep!
Michael L.
I liked this place a lot! I got the combo with half sandwich and Mac n cheese. The mac n cheese with bacon was the highlight. I came into the sandwich shop thinking they would have a lot of pork belly and bacon options but that wasn't the case (the places name is a little deceiving) but still really delicious none the less.
James G.
Ummm, I got the wreck, not bad. I little underwhelming. Only a notch above subway, similar to Togos or quiznos. The service was a let down, no greeting. Girl at counter waited for me to say something. Are all young millennials uninspired robots? Not bad, don't make a special trip like I did. Go to Burntzilla instead.
Don Cornelious
Great freshly toasted sandwiches and friendly employees. I ate at the first Potbelly Sandwich shop years ago in Chicago and am so happy they opened a shop in Irvine. Potbelly is my favorite!Don C.
Diego D.
DOES NOT ACCEPT APPLE PAY!! I repeat, DOES NOT ACCEPT APPLE PAY. I'm not sure who is in charge of the description for this business but they don't accept Apple Pay here because their system isn't set up for it. Came here, ordered the sandwich and as I was going to pay with my phone, I was told I wouldn't be able to. I couldn't use their app because I lost my physical card to use and add into their apps system. I made sure to give the sand which back to the workers there.
Yukina C.
I was extremely disappointed in their meatball sandwich. It's supposed to come with provolone cheese but there was BARELY any. Like maybe 1 little shred of cheese that melted into thin air. There was also little to no marinara sauce. Pictures are included. My sandwich is SO dry and disgusting. I can't bring myself to take another bite. Definitely the worst sandwich I've ever had. I gave 2 stars instead of 1 because their chicken pot pie is actually good, but that's about it. Terrible sandwiches for a restaurant that supposedly specializes in sandwiches. The workers also moved incredibly slow. I ordered ahead of time an hour before my pick up time (3 sandwiches) and when I got there, I had to wait an extra 10 min because it wasn't assembled or anything at all and it took a few minutes for him to assist me even though he clearly saw me. I ordered ahead of time to save time and I felt like I ended up waiting even longer. The cookie we ordered came exactly as shown in the picture: melted and crushed looking. It even looks like someone took a bite out of it? How hard is it to make a sandwich???? All in all, I'm never coming back.
So glad I discovered they opened! The vegetarian sandwiches are so good (as a vegetarian I'm usually so sick of vegetarian sandwiches). My boyfriend loves the meat sandwiches- especially the wreck. The mac and cheese is soooo good I have to get 1 each time I go and their soups are great. Also, the milkshakes are surprisingly yummy (so many options and you can mix and match but I LOVE their oreo... or oreo banana). Also, the cookies are so good (pro tip: ask them to put it through the oven for you). The service is always great... you can tell they really care about each customer. I hope my work starts catering from here because that would make work meetings so much better. I hope they open some more in California soon!
Eve Espindola
I absolutely love this place, food and service!! can't go wrong with the Italian sandwich with extra hot peppers and the chocolate shake.. so glad I find it in the west coast now.
Mike E E.
Management is poor here. Very unprofessional. He told me "you Asians all are the same". What is that suppose to mean? I don't know but it sounds racist to me. Been going here for quite some time with friends, family and co-workers and never had any issues. Rethinking never to go back.
Robert E.
I've always really liked Potbelly, and haven't lived near one in forever so when I figured out we had one in Irvine(I just moved here) I knew I had to go. Got my normal Meatball with no cheese, and I tried the chocolate milkshake with Oreo. It was amazing, just as I remembered. The meatball sandwich at Potbelly just has this sort of different taste that just tastes like good old Potbelly. I picked it up to go, and my only complaint is that the staff could've been better at acknowledging my presence and asking what I was picking up(also they said 1:05 for a pickup time and it wasn't ready until like 1:15). And they forgot to put the cookie in my order, but when I came back for it later they gave me 2 :). Thanks Potbelly for happening to open your first(and only so far) California location in my city!
Lynnann W.
First discovered this chain in Washington DC and assumed it was only East Coast; thrilled to have found this close to home?!Have since ordered numerous times through delivery and happy to say always accurate - a plus during the pandemic!Big on flavor with big portions of everything. Never met a sandwich there I didn't love and they have great soups too!
Tried to call and number is not answering. Looks like they are temporarily CLOSED??? I hope they reopen soon!!!
As the last reviewer posted, it is unfortunately not a surprise that they permanently closed. The food, quality, and service was not up to Potbelly standards and never really improved during the time they were open. The service in particular was awful. This never felt like a "real" Potbelly as in Chicago and other locations. Here's hoping that a location can open elsewhere in Southern California with proper staff, training, and quality of food.
Great food, but location closing!
I came here today and it looks like it's closed permanently. All the windows are covered and there was a sign company taking down all the signs.
I went to get sandwiches today because I learned it was closing. So sad. I went a few times before but I just wanted to let the owner know that this Potbelly did not meet the expectations of other Potbelly's I've been to. I went to school in Chicago and probably went at least once a week to get food and the service was always on point. However this location always had horrible service. The young servers did not show any enthusiasm or seem to even want to be there. In Chicago; going to potbelly was an awesome experience. It reminded me of going to Coldstone where they call out orders and sang songs if you tipped them. They seemed to like working there and put their heart into making sandwiches. I honestly think if you put motivated individuals behind the counter, the food will taste better. They were not well trained at all. Each time I went there, they never knew what type of sandwich was coming out of the conveyor belt. If you ever get into another food service business please hire workers like in n out or Chick-fil-A. Every time I go there, all those young workers are highly motivated and well trained. Sandwiches here tasted mediocre compared to Chicago and prices were steep!
I liked this place a lot! I got the combo with half sandwich and Mac n cheese. The mac n cheese with bacon was the highlight. I came into the sandwich shop thinking they would have a lot of pork belly and bacon options but that wasn't the case (the places name is a little deceiving) but still really delicious none the less.
Ummm, I got the wreck, not bad. I little underwhelming. Only a notch above subway, similar to Togos or quiznos. The service was a let down, no greeting. Girl at counter waited for me to say something. Are all young millennials uninspired robots? Not bad, don't make a special trip like I did. Go to Burntzilla instead.
Great freshly toasted sandwiches and friendly employees. I ate at the first Potbelly Sandwich shop years ago in Chicago and am so happy they opened a shop in Irvine. Potbelly is my favorite!Don C.
DOES NOT ACCEPT APPLE PAY!! I repeat, DOES NOT ACCEPT APPLE PAY. I'm not sure who is in charge of the description for this business but they don't accept Apple Pay here because their system isn't set up for it. Came here, ordered the sandwich and as I was going to pay with my phone, I was told I wouldn't be able to. I couldn't use their app because I lost my physical card to use and add into their apps system. I made sure to give the sand which back to the workers there.
I was extremely disappointed in their meatball sandwich. It's supposed to come with provolone cheese but there was BARELY any. Like maybe 1 little shred of cheese that melted into thin air. There was also little to no marinara sauce. Pictures are included. My sandwich is SO dry and disgusting. I can't bring myself to take another bite. Definitely the worst sandwich I've ever had. I gave 2 stars instead of 1 because their chicken pot pie is actually good, but that's about it. Terrible sandwiches for a restaurant that supposedly specializes in sandwiches. The workers also moved incredibly slow. I ordered ahead of time an hour before my pick up time (3 sandwiches) and when I got there, I had to wait an extra 10 min because it wasn't assembled or anything at all and it took a few minutes for him to assist me even though he clearly saw me. I ordered ahead of time to save time and I felt like I ended up waiting even longer. The cookie we ordered came exactly as shown in the picture: melted and crushed looking. It even looks like someone took a bite out of it? How hard is it to make a sandwich???? All in all, I'm never coming back.
Restaurantji Recommends
So glad I discovered they opened! The vegetarian sandwiches are so good (as a vegetarian I'm usually so sick of vegetarian sandwiches). My boyfriend loves the meat sandwiches- especially the wreck. The mac and cheese is soooo good I have to get 1 each time I go and their soups are great. Also, the milkshakes are surprisingly yummy (so many options and you can mix and match but I LOVE their oreo... or oreo banana). Also, the cookies are so good (pro tip: ask them to put it through the oven for you). The service is always great... you can tell they really care about each customer. I hope my work starts catering from here because that would make work meetings so much better. I hope they open some more in California soon!
I absolutely love this place, food and service!! can't go wrong with the Italian sandwich with extra hot peppers and the chocolate shake.. so glad I find it in the west coast now.
Management is poor here. Very unprofessional. He told me "you Asians all are the same". What is that suppose to mean? I don't know but it sounds racist to me. Been going here for quite some time with friends, family and co-workers and never had any issues. Rethinking never to go back.
I've always really liked Potbelly, and haven't lived near one in forever so when I figured out we had one in Irvine(I just moved here) I knew I had to go. Got my normal Meatball with no cheese, and I tried the chocolate milkshake with Oreo. It was amazing, just as I remembered. The meatball sandwich at Potbelly just has this sort of different taste that just tastes like good old Potbelly. I picked it up to go, and my only complaint is that the staff could've been better at acknowledging my presence and asking what I was picking up(also they said 1:05 for a pickup time and it wasn't ready until like 1:15). And they forgot to put the cookie in my order, but when I came back for it later they gave me 2 :). Thanks Potbelly for happening to open your first(and only so far) California location in my city!
First discovered this chain in Washington DC and assumed it was only East Coast; thrilled to have found this close to home?!Have since ordered numerous times through delivery and happy to say always accurate - a plus during the pandemic!Big on flavor with big portions of everything. Never met a sandwich there I didn't love and they have great soups too!