Restaurant Review: What We Like About Potbelly Sandwich Shop’s Catering

View Potbelly Sandwich Shop’s catering menu

The first thing you’ll notice when you walk into any Potbelly Sandwich Shop is the prominently-placed antique “potbelly” stove. The relic is a tribute to the Chicago caterer’s start as a cozy neighborhood hangout back in the late 70s. In those days, Peter Hastings and his wife sold toasted sandwiches and homemade cookies out of their Lincoln Park antique store as a way to make a little extra money. In 1996, a young visionary and entrepreneur Bryant Keil was so taken with the food and atmosphere that he purchased the business, certain he could turn the local cult-following into a major enterprise.

Today, there are more than 400 Potbelly locations around the world selling what they call “casual-fast” food. Each location maintains that homey vibe with eclectic décor and friendly staff. They pride themselves on making sure that your order is ready and that they don’t keep you waiting – even during the lunch rush.

What We Like About Potbelly Sandwich Shop’s Catering

Business Insider recently named Potbelly one of the best food chains in the country. It’s easy to see why- the service is unmatched, and the food is delicious. Potbelly Sandwich Shop’s catering uses top-notch ingredients: think roasted turkey breast, Albacore tuna, authentic Italian meats, Angus roast beef, and grilled chicken with no artificial colors, flavors, chemical preservatives, or artificial ingredients. Each morning, they prepare the chicken salad and slice the vine-ripened tomatoes and crispy cucumbers for the sandwiches. Fresh batches of cookies bake in the oven all day long.  

Potbelly’s Catering Packages

If you’re feeding a big group (12 or more), the Full Belly Package will cover all your bases. Choose from more than 10 different sandwiches like Smoked Ham with Cheese, Chicken Salad, and the hummus, feta, cucumber, artichoke, and roasted pepper-stuffed Mediterranean. Side selections include potato salad, macaroni salad, or coleslaw. Each sandwich is accompanied by a bag of chips and a gooey oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. The price comes to about $11.50 person. For smaller groups (fewer than 12), the Perfect Belly Box Lunch does the trick. For about $9.95 per person, this option includes your choice of sandwich and an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.

If you’re organizing an event on a budget, don’t fret because Potbelly Sandwich Shop’s catering makes it easy trim costs. Forego the sides with the Perfect Belly Package and bring the price down to about $9.45 per person, or keep it simple with straight sandwiches- the Basic Belly Package costs about $7.90 per person.

Salads and More

Potbelly Sandwich Shop’s catering is renowned for sandwiches, but don’t forget to try the soup and salads. Warming and comforting soups like Broccoli Cheddar, Loaded Baked Potato, Chicken Enchilada, Classic Tomato, Garden Veggie, and Chili make fantastic side dishes, but are also robust enough to stand on their own.

The hearty Powerhouse Salad is packed with romaine lettuce, spinach, avocado, hummus, egg, cucumber, and tomatoes and the Clubhouse swaps out the hummus for bacon and blue cheese. For something sweet and savory, try the Uptown Salad with grapes, apples, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, blue cheese, and red onions. Dressings include Buttermilk Ranch, Balsamic Vinaigrette, and Potbelly’s own vinaigrette.

Ordering for Dietary Restrictions

You might assume a sandwich shop is a tough choice for those with dietary restrictions, but Potbelly Sandwich Shop’s catering has something for everyone. Hold the croutons, and all of the salads become gluten-free. Even their salad dressings are free of gluten, so there’s no need to worry. The Mediterranean sandwich works for both vegetarians and vegans (if vegan, order without feta and on regular bread as the multigrain is made with honey). The salads are also completely customizable, so order without meat or eggs, and feel free to swap out toppings.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop’s catering makes it easy to find the right meal at the right price point.