The Potbelly Lunch Experience
While I was in Chicago, I discovered Potbellys, a small chain of sandwich shops with far more character than Subway or Quiznos and better prices than Jimmy Johns or Erberts & Gerberts. All Potbellys’ tasty and hot sandwiches are $3.80 + tax. They’ve recently opened 3 shops in the Twin Cities - Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, and the Skyway Level of the IDS Tower.
I checked out the IDS Tower on Friday. As expected, the line went out the door and to the stairwell. I only know of two other places with lines regularly this long; Chipotle & Walker Bros. Pancake House.
Potbellys handles the lunch experience extremely well:
- A sign inside the door expertly sets your expectation about waiting in line (just like a good theme park should):
“If you’re standing here, just 7 minutes until you eat.”
- Two guys in their early 20s tucked in a nook with a microphone and an acoustic guitar singing early 90s power ballads. Entertaining themselves and the crowd. (Their rendition of “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” had me smiling with cheesy delight.)
- A runner went through the line taking the orders of the next half-dozen people and shouting it to the sandwich-starters. When I reached the counter, my sandwich was ready, just add toppings & pay. A brilliant technique the Walker Bros in Wilmette, IL also employs.
- The sandwich-topper made light, engaging, small talk with me while adding lettuce, tomatoes, and dressing to my sandwich
“Everything on it? Yeah, the only way to have a Wreck is with everything on it.”
. At Jimmy Johns, I can’t even see the person making my lunch - let alone talk to them.
The interior of Potbellys feels like a dusty antique shop (cause that’s how it started). I’m continually impressed how they successfully replicate that feel in each of there shops - without it coming off fake like Applebees or half-hearted like Jimmy Johns.
We should all grab lunch there soon and check it out. Who’s up for it?
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