The food is good, if you feel like waiting 30 minutes for some rude staff members to make it.
Food: 5
Service: 1
Valorous Darke
Horrible Experience
After having tried Potbelly in Bloomington, I was glad to learn Champaign had one that wasn't on campus, because parking can be frustrating. I wish I'd gone to campus.
Using the app to order, I arrived before the estimated time, so I expected to wait a little. The order was for 2 sandwiches, two chips and two drinks.
Upon going inside, with the exception of the two tables that were occupied, every table needed cleaned. Mostly food crumbs, although one also had used napkins and another a half-full drink cup.
After cleaning off a table, the wait began. The digital board showed my order was "being prepared". Once my designated time arrived, I went to the counter to check on the progress, thinking perhaps I needed to check in. I was told no rather rudely, so I went back to sit down.
All-in-all, I waited 45 minutes, finally reading the other reviews of this location while I did. They are not glowing, for good reason. During this time, at least two groups of people came in, ordered at the counter, got their food, cleaned a table, ate and left. There was also movement in the drive thru. I thought ordering with the app would be more convenient than the counter.
My name never moved from "being prepared," so I went up to the counter again, only to learn that my food was put out at some point, but my name was never moved, because "there are only two of us working." I don't know how that keeps you from changing a status, which must be quicker and easier to do than making a sandwich.
At this point, I wanted out of there before I got rude. Once I got home, I learned that my chips weren't in the bag and my sandwich was on the wrong bread. That was especially funny, because I ordered the Mama's Meatball as it comes, but with extra cheese. Why the starting point of bread was wrong, I can't guess. The missing chips are on me, because after the whole experience, I should have thoroughly checked everything.
It's quite safe to say I'll be braving the college campus rather than going to this location again. Understaffed or not, this is a poor way to run a business.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Jake Phillips
Placed a mobile order, arrived at the specified time, and waited for 22 minutes in the drive thru with 2 cars in front of me. When I got my order, I had to pull back around and take several more minutes to get my wife's missing chips. Very frustrating experience. Sandwiches were correct and good, albeit a little cold once we got them.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
J Lake
Last 4 times i’ve been here the service has been terrible. You’re better off dealing with parking on campus than dealing with the treatment at this location
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
C R
Review written 10/17/2024. Delicious sandwich and cheese curls. Friendly employee on 10/17/2024.
This restaurant is located in the former Einstein Bagel location in Champaign. It’s very clean inside and new.
Only removing a star because several months ago I went through the drive thru and they told me they couldn’t take drive thru orders and that I had to come inside. It was pouring down rain that day and I have fatigue and mobility issues and that’s why I was going through the drive thru. I feel like if a restaurant has a drive thru they should be able to staff it.
Also one time in the drive thru they told me you can’t scan or redeem rewards on the Potbelly app through the drive thru and that you have to come inside.
Hopefully that’s been resolved because a lot of people like to use rewards apps to get the most bang for their buck lol.
Keerthana _27
The lady at the counter said "all the bread is gluten free" um...no she has no idea and just said yes. Two workers including the manager all said the bread was gluten free. They should know, and not say they don't know.
My partner cannot eat gluten due to allergies and we purchased the order then researched again to make sure and the online website said all the bread had gluten. IF YOU DONT KNOW IF ITS GLUTEN FREE ITS OKAY TO SAY YOU DONT KNOW. three workers confirmed it was gluten free. This is not acceptable.
Tamaya Russell
Place an online order 22 minutes ago and once I’ve arrived order still wasn’t completed. Turns out they only made one sandwich in the span of 22 minutes which is a huge issue. I understand there were people in line but PLEASE take care of those who places an order online. Not to mention my sandwich was given to someone at a drive thru which made me hesitant of taking the sandwich that a previous customer mistakenly received. DO BETTER! The two girls with wigs seem to not be able to keep up with the pace.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Elize P
This was our first time going to potbelly so we were very new to the menu and the overall expectations of that restaurant. The brunette cashier in the red shirt with no name tag was incredibly rude, impatient, slammed every door and drawer that was available throughout the making of the sandwichs and salads we ordered, she then aggressively slapped the wrapped sandwichs on the counter. Throughout our time there she spoke to us with impatience and irritation in her tone of voice. I thought about asking for a refund multiple times but decided to wait and at least get the food first. This was by far the worst experience I’ve had at a restaurant period and will not be returning. I shouldn’t feel uneasy and uncomfortable while ordering a basic meal at a restaurant. Unacceptable behavior !
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Lisa Barbee
This location is simply awful! They are so short staffed and the staff they do have really don't care about anything. I placed a lunch order, to go online that had a pick up time of 12:00. I arrived at 12:05 and it was not ready. Fine. I waited. No asked me what my name was so I decided I would flag them down and tell them I ordered for a noon pick up. They told me they were right now preparing it. That was a lie.
A little while later the gal behind the counter waited on several other people then asked me again what my name was. I told her and she said they were preparing it. That was a lie. It is now 12:20. I am late getting back from lunch by now.
I waited patiently for another 10 minutes. This kind gentleman who got served before me told me I needed to up there and say something. I knew this would do no good because obviously they were not interested in helping me. Although I had already paid for my sandwich I had to walk away without it.
I left at 12:30 without my lunch, late returning to the office and a bad review just waiting to be written.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Megan Dwyer
Im not sure why they bothered to open a new location to drive it into the ground. There were young kids (like preschool age) running around the back drinking unlidded milkshakes in food prep areas. Employees playing with the kids with the gloved hands they make food with. I was ignored for five minutes despite being the only customer. Full trash bags on the floor in lobby. You cant fill pops in the lobby for some reason. Out of a ton of stuff despite not even being busy. Closed drive thru for no reason. This is the second bad, kinda gross experience here and I will never go back.
Gals that work at this location are amazing and so helpful. Taught me how to use the app! ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: A Wreck
barreta75
Poor customer service
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 2
George Mclaughlin
The sandwiches are to die for really excellent
Parking: There's plenty of place to park
Kid-friendliness: Very nice for kids to go
Recommended dishes: A Wreck
Tony Stark
Super slow and always out of ingredients. Like how do you run out of bread?
Kurt Wagner
Most of the food is great and the atmosphere is fine, but the service is always so slow that I almost never visit. They need to figure out how to streamline the process somehow.
The food is good, if you feel like waiting 30 minutes for some rude staff members to make it.
Food: 5
Service: 1
Horrible Experience
After having tried Potbelly in Bloomington, I was glad to learn Champaign had one that wasn't on campus, because parking can be frustrating. I wish I'd gone to campus.
Using the app to order, I arrived before the estimated time, so I expected to wait a little. The order was for 2 sandwiches, two chips and two drinks.
Upon going inside, with the exception of the two tables that were occupied, every table needed cleaned. Mostly food crumbs, although one also had used napkins and another a half-full drink cup.
After cleaning off a table, the wait began. The digital board showed my order was "being prepared". Once my designated time arrived, I went to the counter to check on the progress, thinking perhaps I needed to check in. I was told no rather rudely, so I went back to sit down.
All-in-all, I waited 45 minutes, finally reading the other reviews of this location while I did. They are not glowing, for good reason. During this time, at least two groups of people came in, ordered at the counter, got their food, cleaned a table, ate and left. There was also movement in the drive thru. I thought ordering with the app would be more convenient than the counter.
My name never moved from "being prepared," so I went up to the counter again, only to learn that my food was put out at some point, but my name was never moved, because "there are only two of us working." I don't know how that keeps you from changing a status, which must be quicker and easier to do than making a sandwich.
At this point, I wanted out of there before I got rude. Once I got home, I learned that my chips weren't in the bag and my sandwich was on the wrong bread. That was especially funny, because I ordered the Mama's Meatball as it comes, but with extra cheese. Why the starting point of bread was wrong, I can't guess. The missing chips are on me, because after the whole experience, I should have thoroughly checked everything.
It's quite safe to say I'll be braving the college campus rather than going to this location again. Understaffed or not, this is
a poor way to run a business.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Placed a mobile order, arrived at the specified time, and waited for 22 minutes in the drive thru with 2 cars in front of me. When I got my order, I had to pull back around and take several more minutes to get my wife's missing chips. Very frustrating experience. Sandwiches were correct and good, albeit a little cold once we got them.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
Last 4 times i’ve been here the service has been terrible. You’re better off dealing with parking on campus than dealing with the treatment at this location
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Review written 10/17/2024. Delicious sandwich and cheese curls. Friendly employee on 10/17/2024.
This restaurant is located in the former Einstein Bagel location in Champaign.
It’s very clean inside and new.
Only removing a star because several months ago I went through the drive thru and they told me they couldn’t take drive thru orders and that I had to come inside. It was pouring down rain that day and I have fatigue and mobility issues and that’s why I was going through the drive thru. I feel like if a restaurant has a drive thru they should be able to staff it.
Also one time in the drive thru they told me you can’t scan or redeem rewards on the Potbelly app through the drive thru and that you have to come inside.
Hopefully that’s been resolved because a lot of people like to use rewards apps to get the most bang for their buck lol.
The lady at the counter said "all the bread is gluten free" um...no she has no idea and just said yes. Two workers including the manager all said the bread was gluten free. They should know, and not say they don't know.
My partner cannot eat gluten due to allergies and we purchased the order then researched again to make sure and the online website said all the bread had gluten. IF YOU DONT KNOW IF ITS GLUTEN FREE ITS OKAY TO SAY YOU DONT KNOW. three workers confirmed it was gluten free. This is not acceptable.
Place an online order 22 minutes ago and once I’ve arrived order still wasn’t completed. Turns out they only made one sandwich in the span of 22 minutes which is a huge issue. I understand there were people in line but PLEASE take care of those who places an order online. Not to mention my sandwich was given to someone at a drive thru which made me hesitant of taking the sandwich that a previous customer mistakenly received. DO BETTER! The two girls with wigs seem to not be able to keep up with the pace.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
This was our first time going to potbelly so we were very new to the menu and the overall expectations of that restaurant. The brunette cashier in the red shirt with no name tag was incredibly rude, impatient, slammed every door and drawer that was available throughout the making of the sandwichs and salads we ordered, she then aggressively slapped the wrapped sandwichs on the counter. Throughout our time there she spoke to us with impatience and irritation in her tone of voice. I thought about asking for a refund multiple times but decided to wait and at least get the food first. This was by far the worst experience I’ve had at a restaurant period and will not be returning. I shouldn’t feel uneasy and uncomfortable while ordering a basic meal at a restaurant. Unacceptable behavior !
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
This location is simply awful! They are so short staffed and the staff they do have really don't care about anything. I placed a lunch order, to go online that had a pick up time of 12:00. I arrived at 12:05 and it was not ready. Fine. I waited. No asked me what my name was so I decided I would flag them down and tell them I ordered for a noon pick up. They told me they were right now preparing it. That was a lie.
A little while later the gal behind the counter waited on several other people then asked me again what my name was. I told her and she said they were preparing it. That was a lie. It is now 12:20. I am late getting back from lunch by now.
I waited patiently for another 10 minutes. This kind gentleman who got served before me told me I needed to up there and say something. I knew this would do no good because obviously they were not interested in helping me. Although I had already paid for my sandwich I had to walk away without it.
I left at 12:30 without my lunch, late returning to the office and a bad review just waiting to be written.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Im not sure why they bothered to open a new location to drive it into the ground. There were young kids (like preschool age) running around the back drinking unlidded milkshakes in food prep areas. Employees playing with the kids with the gloved hands they make food with. I was ignored for five minutes despite being the only customer. Full trash bags on the floor in lobby. You cant fill pops in the lobby for some reason. Out of a ton of stuff despite not even being busy. Closed drive thru for no reason. This is the second bad, kinda gross experience here and I will never go back.
Restaurantji Recommends
Gals that work at this location are amazing and so helpful. Taught me how to use the app! ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: A Wreck
Poor customer service
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 2
The sandwiches are to die for really excellent
Parking: There's plenty of place to park
Kid-friendliness: Very nice for kids to go
Recommended dishes: A Wreck
Super slow and always out of ingredients. Like how do you run out of bread?
Most of the food is great and the atmosphere is fine, but the service is always so slow that I almost never visit. They need to figure out how to streamline the process somehow.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Pizza Melt, A Wreck, Italian
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