by Maire Veillette
veillettma@mnstate.edu

For a self-proclaimed picky eater, writing a column about food may seem ridiculous to those with adventurous tongues. However, I’m here to tell you Potbelly Sandwich Shop, which opened last summer, can satisfy any type of eater.
Potbelly serves an assortment of toasted subs, as could be deduced from their name. They offer breakfast choices along with soups and chili. If you’re more of a dessert fan, they also offer shakes and malts or baked goods like brownies and cookies. If you’re looking to add some healthy sides, Potbelly serves salads and fruit smoothies, too.
When ordering, there are multiple sandwiches to choose from including turkey breast, smoked ham, meatball, roast beef, Italian, A Wreck, Mediterranean, grilled chicken and cheddar, chicken salad, tuna salad and the pizza sandwich.
There are also three specialty sandwiches called skinnys that are served with a smaller portion of meat, cheese and bread and contain less than 400 calories.
Along with choosing the sandwich type, you can also select the kind of bread and size of the sandwich you’d prefer. Customers can choose from regular, multigrain, or flat bread and either an original or big size portion.
The sandwich is sent through the toaster oven on a conveyor belt where additional toppings are added. Topping choices include mayo, brown mustard, hot peppers, lettuce, onion, tomato, pickle, oil and Italian seasoning. Mushrooms and bacon can also be added for a small additional charge.
I ordered an original size Italian sandwich on multigrain bread. The Italian sandwich comes with capicola, mortadella, pepperoni, salami and provolone cheese. I added mayo and lettuce after it was toasted. Along with my sandwich, I ordered an Oreo shake.
The food was delicious, and not at all pricey compared to other sandwich shops. Though I only purchased the original size, I could hardly finish the entire sandwich and shake.
The atmosphere was homey and rustic, fitting with the large potbelly stove in the corner of the shop. There was live music playing while I was there, and the solo vocals and guitar fit well with the environment as well.
My favorite part of the whole Potbelly experience was the detail they put into the food. My sandwich was made exactly as I asked, and I watched the ice cream for the shake as it was hand-scooped, along with some Oreos, into the blender. Two small cookies with straw-sized holes in the middle were slid onto my straw for the ultimate finishing touch. They tasted pretty good, too.
Overall, Potbelly Sandwich Shop was a great place to stop and eat. I highly recommend checking it out if you haven’t yet had the chance. Potbelly has a drive thru and delivery service as well to satisfy your hunger in whatever way is most convenient.