Though it originated in Chicago in 1977 as an antique shop that sold sandwiches on the side, Potbelly Sandwich Shop has come a long way since — including to Phoenix.

The company strives to be “the best place for lunch” and its following, notariety & good food can help it reach that goal! There’s talk about it opening even more stores across the Valley. Eventually, the company plans to make its way to Tucson and open shops in Arizona’s southern region.

On the menu, you will find toasted sandwiches, soups, salads, cookies, shakes, malts and smoothies.

Among the sandwiches at Potbelly are ‘the Wreck’, with roast beef, turkey, ham, salami and Swiss; and ‘the Mediterranean’, a vegetarian mix of hummus, feta, crispy cucumbers, artichokes and roasted red peppers.

Sandwiches are served on house-baked bread with a choice of toppings and condiments, which include mayonnaise, mustard, hot peppers ( a must have favorite), oil and Italian seasoning.

For calorie-counters: You can order the bread “thin-cut,” which knocks about 100 calories off the sandwich.

Price Point: Sandwiches and salads sell for about $5 to $6, and shakes and smoothies are about $3.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Sunday-Thursday)

           11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Friday & Saturday)

– Seventh Street and McDowell Road

Potbelly Sandwich Shop has more than 240 outlets, including several in the Middle East. The original unit debuted in 1977 in Chicago.