Restaurant Review: Potbelly, London - UK
Potbelly, the Legendary Chicago Sandwiches maker has recently opened in the UK. Located on the Street, Westfield Stratford City in London, I would say it has attained a very popular spot. Potbelly started in 1977 in Chicago as an antique shop specializing in rustic potbelly stoves but later, the founder began to sell sandwiches, cookies and shakes turning it to a loved sandwich shop. Today, Potbelly has almost 400 shops worldwide, this includes 12 in the Middle East and one in the UK. However, they have ambitious plans, and aim to open 9 more shops across the UK.
The Potbelly Stove!
Location & Parking:
Potbelly is located in Westfield Stratford City in London. I found the place really cool and since it has all the known brands around, it's really nice for shopping and a weekend outing!
There is a charged car park inside the mall where the visitors can park for a fee of £2.75 per hour and pay either by cash or credit card at the paying station or while leaving the parking lot.
Unfortunately, this fee cannot be paid through mobile and neither do they inform the visitor about the ending time, through a message. I really liked the parking facility provided in Dubai. One can simply pay through mobile and automatically get a notification when the parking time is about to end so you don't have to pay extra if you reach on time. Sadly, I ended up paying the double amount just because I was a couple of minutes late reaching my car. Haha!
Unfortunately, this fee cannot be paid through mobile and neither do they inform the visitor about the ending time, through a message. I really liked the parking facility provided in Dubai. One can simply pay through mobile and automatically get a notification when the parking time is about to end so you don't have to pay extra if you reach on time. Sadly, I ended up paying the double amount just because I was a couple of minutes late reaching my car. Haha!
Seating & Interior:
Potbelly has a very welcoming interior, with different choices to choose the desired seat from the cafe style tables and chairs to comfortable sofa setting. The latter being more popular among the people and even I choose that one to ensure I enjoy the whole experience of tasting the food. The decor inside the restaurant has been done very nicely and the photo frames hung all over the walls are a combination of both modern and vintage pictures.
From Ordering till Eating:
Potbelly does not only sell sandwiches but even their shakes and cookies are popular. The ordering process is simple. Just choose your sandwich from the menu, select the bread you would want (white bread or multi-grain) and your free toppings. They also have some extra toppings but they come with an added cost.
You can also buy the snacks such as chips, popcorns and pretzels that are imported from the US!
Below you can see my sandwich in the making. I opted for the best-seller, A Wreck, that was prepared in white bread roll because that was my preference as I do not enjoy eating multi-grain bread much. The sandwich filling contained spicy beef salami, turkey breast, premium roast beef, turkey ham and Swiss cheese. I opted for all the toppings except for mustard. Not a big fan of it. So it was mayo, hot peppers, lettuce, onion, tomato and pickle.
A Wreck - Costs £5.95
Roast Beef - Costs £6.75
Both the sandwiches were prepared in warm toasted bread that is prepared locally.
I am a huge fan of anything that comes under the category of dessert, so it was to follow the sandwich for sure! I tried their freshly baked chocolate brownie cookie, that was soft and gooey that just melted in my mouth. Even BabyN' enjoyed it a lot!
Potbelly also sells mini oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that comes in a pack of 8 cookies and since these are also very popular, they had finished and I could not try those but I do plan to try them when I visit Westfield again.
Ah, the milkshakes! They were awesome. Just the right consistency and irresistible! Normally thick milkshakes just seem like a dollop of ice-cream but Mocha tasted perfect. There were also many other flavours but I regularly make banana milkshake at home and I had just had strawberry the previous day so I preferred Mocha.
I am a huge fan of milkshakes and I myself make really good shakes, but it wouldn't be wrong saying that I was impressed with the drinks at Potbelly.
Now I am sure you must be feeling the temptation to try Potbelly so you can see the menu here.
The restaurant serves full Halal menu. Initially, I wasn't aware of this as they have not mentioned it on their website but I came across a review that widened my eyes with excitement.
For shakes, they use the real fruit rather than using artificial flavours.
Chocolate Brownie Cookie (£1.80) & Mocha Milkshake (£4)
I am a huge fan of anything that comes under the category of dessert, so it was to follow the sandwich for sure! I tried their freshly baked chocolate brownie cookie, that was soft and gooey that just melted in my mouth. Even BabyN' enjoyed it a lot!
Potbelly also sells mini oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that comes in a pack of 8 cookies and since these are also very popular, they had finished and I could not try those but I do plan to try them when I visit Westfield again.
Ah, the milkshakes! They were awesome. Just the right consistency and irresistible! Normally thick milkshakes just seem like a dollop of ice-cream but Mocha tasted perfect. There were also many other flavours but I regularly make banana milkshake at home and I had just had strawberry the previous day so I preferred Mocha.
I am a huge fan of milkshakes and I myself make really good shakes, but it wouldn't be wrong saying that I was impressed with the drinks at Potbelly.
Now I am sure you must be feeling the temptation to try Potbelly so you can see the menu here.
Few Observations:
Potbelly also serves breakfast items till 11:00 am that includes sandwiches, bagels and oatmeal.The restaurant serves full Halal menu. Initially, I wasn't aware of this as they have not mentioned it on their website but I came across a review that widened my eyes with excitement.
For shakes, they use the real fruit rather than using artificial flavours.
End Note:
I enjoyed my visit to Potbelly and was really happy to know about it serving Halal food. The host was very hospitable and sounded very enthusiastic about expanding the operations across the UK and ensuring that the customers who dine are satisfied.
Rating: 8/10
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Have you ever dined at Potbelly? I would love to know your experience & your favourite sandwich?__________________________________________
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We don't have Potbelly in the Philippines. I was wondering what kind of food they serve until I saw the photos towards the end of the post. They look so yummy!
ReplyDeleteYes, they haven't opened in the Philippines yet but they do have many shops in Dubai. I am sure you might be knowing someone in UAE. :-)
DeleteThat looks like a really nice place! I love the decor!
ReplyDeleteYes, it really is. Maybe stop there for a meal some day! ;)
DeleteI am definitely a big lover of sandwiches. To me, if they make a good corned beef Reuben then I will continue eating with them and trying out more! The bread for your sandwich looks GREAT from the pictures... only... 3 more hours until my lunch.......
ReplyDeleteVisit the restaurant and find out if they can do your favourite sandwich. They have many other options too, you might want to try them as well. :-)
DeleteI've never been, but that looks fantastic! Wonderful pictures! Is it lunch time yet? Haha
ReplyDeleteThey have opened just last year. Yes, it's lunch time already! :D
DeleteOoohhh,I'm excited for them to open one more locally to me. It sounds like a great restaurant.
ReplyDeleteHey Tori! Where in UK are you based?
DeleteSandwiches, milshakes, brownies - this sounds right up my street! Need to try this place out when I'm back in London :)
ReplyDeleteYes, you should definitely try them. I really enjoyed the Mocha and the brownie cookie.
DeleteI love sandwiches, this place seems perfect for me! The photos of food are simply stunning! Yummy! I’d like to go there some day when come to London!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. They are going to open more shops in the UK. Hope they open in your county too! ;-)
DeleteI have never heard of potbelly before but one thing is for certain I need some sandwiches right now.
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely try these out during the Easter holidays.
DeleteHow interesting na how they started as an antique shop and how they moved to food thingy. The decor of the place looks okay. From pictures, shake looks tempting :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ThatGrlInHighHeels.com
Yes, interesting indeed! They have done their decor according to the theme of the restaurant. And yes, the shake was yumm!
DeleteVery cool place for sandwiches :)
ReplyDeleteI just wonder if they are expensive...
I have mentioned the prices and there is also a link to their menu. You can check that out.
DeleteThe sandwiches looks really good, especially the roast beef done. They also seem pretty big for the price, you would almost expect them to come with chunky chips. :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed eating Roast beef and the size is very generous and filling. I cannot finish all of it in one sitting. Unfortunately, they don't serve freshly fried chips but they do sell the packaged ones.
DeletePotbelly is one of my most favorite places to go for quick food. Too, bad I live in Maryland and there's no Potbelly where I live. How I wish I get a bite of Potbelly.
ReplyDeleteHey hi! You never know they might open one near you soon! :-)
DeleteHonestly, I'm fascinated by the Potbelly itself. Would love to see for myself how people earlier made their sandwiches.
ReplyDeleteMaybe try finding it out on YouTube? :-)
DeleteIt looks awesome! And I like love the interior hopefully they open one near me would love to try it
ReplyDeleteThey do have plans to open more shops in the coming years. Let's hope they open one near you as well.
DeleteLooks like a wonderful place to dine in....
ReplyDeleteHey Lubna! Thanks for stopping by. It's always nice to hear from you.
DeleteNow I am hungry and want a huge sandwich! Seems to be the ideal place from a shopping break. The only shop around here is Subway what I don't like at all....
ReplyDeleteDefinitely an ideal place to stop by after some shopping. Let me know your experience after dining there.
DeleteAwesome... I kept thinking 'Is it all Halaal?'. I was happy to read they serve halaal.
ReplyDeleteLooks like there's so much to love at Potbelly ~ from the décor to the freshly prepared snacks.
Yes, they have a full Halal menu. I wasn't aware of it earlier but was really glad when I came to know about it.
DeleteYour post has me wishing there were a Potbelly here in Jhb, South Africa..
ReplyDeleteI'm always in search of the perfect mocha or coffee milkshakes...either way..loved learning about this venue...never know when I'll be globe trotting. Great review!
Thank you for such a lovely comment. I am not sure about the future plans of Potbelly but maybe they might open in JHB some day, you never know! :-D
Deletethe photos towards the end of the post. They look so yummy!!!
ReplyDeleteHaha thanks. That's why I kept them at the end of the post.
DeleteI had no idea Potbelly was halal! They really should publicise that! I really want to try it inshaAllah - Westfields parking is also a huge bug bear of mine. Paid £2.80 for 8 minutes the other day, just because we were 8 minutes over the hour - I thought it was ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteEven I wasn't aware of it earlier so I was a bit reluctant to go there. Later, when I found out it was, I was glad to know that! They haven't mentioned it on their website but it is written on the shop. Often even the restaurants serving Halal meat do not write it on window displays. YES, the parking! Even I think it's TOO much! :|
DeleteThis post reminded me of a local resto here. It is called 'Fat Belly.' hahaha. close enough. :D
ReplyDeleteHahaha :-) Yes, it's almost close. What do they serve?
DeleteAmazing pictures Fatima. I wonder why you UK guys get to enjoy all the good halal stuff? Its about time they realized that New Zealand has a big Muslim community too and they should open up things like this here too :(
ReplyDeleteThanks Hina! :-)
DeleteUK has lots of Muslim settlers and Islam is the 2nd largest religion being followed in the country. Not only Muslim owners serve Halal in their restaurants but restaurant owners from other religions also serve Halal food. I hope you get to find some nice restaurants in NZ too.
That made me hungry! Lol! I'm always a fan of great interiors
ReplyDeleteAsk me how much I was feeling hungry while writing this post! :P
Deletethe sandwiches looks really good but I really don't like the decor. the green chairs and stuff :/ I feel like it's way to much
ReplyDeleteHaha 😊 It's an international food chain and they have their set criteria of the decor. I am afraid the owners can't make any changes even if they read your comment by any chance.
Deletethe food looks awesome and the desserts also.and also good to know that they serve HAlal Also.
ReplyDeletebut Fatima yeh school canteen jaisa nahi lag raha?? very cluttered when filled. you have visited when nobody is around.
I was the last diner to leave the restaurant because I wanted to take pictures and that's the reason why you can't see anyone around. It's very spacious from inside, don't think it gets too filled up at the same time.
DeleteThis place looks great! I hope they open one in shepherds bush westfield, i know ill emd up being a regular!
ReplyDeleteThey have plans to open more shops. Let's see where they choose to open.
DeletePot Belly looks fab! Its just the sort of food you want to grab whilst out shopping with friends and family. I'm excited they're in the U.K. Bit I hope they'll be coming up north too!
ReplyDeleteThey do have plans for expanding. I think they will definitely open at least one shop in the North.
DeleteWe went London last week and was hoping to visit here but didn't get round to it. Looks great
ReplyDeleteIt's there only. You can try it next time if you want to. :-)
DeleteThanks for the great review the food is absolutely mouth watering
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. Have you tried it in the Middle East?
DeleteThank you for the review great to keep in mind for the future Insha-Allah :) (www.spicyfusionkitchen.com and www.beautywithzainy.com)
ReplyDeleteI think they should open up in Canada as well. They already have so many shops in the US.
DeleteHi, great review. I love the interior of the place! Great pics. Due to the meat not being halal, I probably wouldn't want to go however love how they have veggie options. The sandwiches look so delish.
ReplyDeleteHey thanks! They serve full Halal menu. Guess you missed reading that part.
Delete