Ever since I tried one of Potbelly Sandwich Shop’s toasted subs last year, I was hooked. The sandwich shop chain began in Chicago but has recently added more shops throughout the country on the east coast and Midwest.

Needless to say, I was super excited when Potbelly opened up two shops this year in the St. Louis area: one in Creve Coeur off of Olive Boulevard., and another in Clayton off of South Bemiston.  Personally, when I’m in the mood for a great sandwich, I head straight to the Creve Coeur location because it’s the closest at only about twenty minutes away.

When I walked in the first things that caught my eye were the simple decorations. The menus are hand painted chalk boards, the tables and furniture are plain and wooden, and the ceilings feature nothing but simple hanging lights.

Potbelly of course is known for their sandwiches, and rightfully so. The bread is plush and toasted to perfection, and all the meats, cheeses and condiments are super fresh. Customers can choose white or wheat bread, and sizes skinny, original or big. Potbelly offers about 15 different sandwiches on the menu, but customers of course can always choose to build their own with the meats, cheeses and condiments offered.

Once you order your sandwich, it goes into the toaster, and you move down the line. As you move, you can order side items such as a whole pickle, or select from a variety of chips.

When you get to the checkout, you of course pay for your meal, but can also order a shake, malt, smoothie or baked good.

The best part of Potbelly’s ordering system though is their promise. The company guarantees that it will take no more than 8 minutes to get through their line, no matter what, making it the perfect place to grab a quick bite without worrying about a long wait.

If you get the chance to go over the lunch hour, Potbelly has an in house musician to play music while you sit down and enjoy your meal. This isn’t something any ordinary sandwich shop offers, and definitely improves the restaurant’s atmosphere.

If sandwiches aren’t your thing, Potbelly still has something that will fit your taste. They offer their famous chili and a multitude of salads, both of which are fantastic in my opinion. They also offer soups, such as broccoli cheddar or vegetable, but the soups offered change every day.

The only thing I disliked about this Potbelly shop was the location of their cooler. The cooler has bottled drinks different than the ones available at the soda fountain along with refrigerated sides like macaroni salad and coleslaw. The Creve Coeur location has put their cooler right where the line starts, which causes the line to back up on occasion. Also, it requires customers to think ahead to what sides and drink they may want before they even order their food.

All in all, this Potbelly location lived up to and even surpassed my expectations. The food was fresh and fast, and the atmosphere friendly. If you have the chance, don’t skip out on Potbelly.