Potbelly Seed Oil Report Card
Safest Orders
| Grilled Chicken Sandwich | 4.0g PUFA |
| Sugar Cookie | 4.0g PUFA |
| Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie | 4.0g PUFA |
| Mac & Cheese | 5.0g PUFA |
| Chips | 5.0g PUFA |
Watch Out For
| Italian Sub (Original) | 13.0g PUFA |
| A Wreck | 12.0g PUFA |
| Chicken Salad Sandwich | 12.0g PUFA |
| Meatball Sub | 10.0g PUFA |
| Tuna Salad Sandwich | 10.0g PUFA |
Frequently asked
Does Potbelly use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Potbelly cooks with: Soybean oil (in mayo and 'Potbelly oil' drizzle); canola/soybean blend in house oil — confirmed in Potbelly allergen guide. Across the 15 menu items we analyzed, it averages 7.4g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
What oil does Potbelly cook with?
Our research indicates: Soybean oil (in mayo and 'Potbelly oil' drizzle); canola/soybean blend in house oil — confirmed in Potbelly allergen guide. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
What is the safest thing to order at Potbelly?
Grilled Chicken Sandwich is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Potbelly, at an estimated 4.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Potbelly?
Italian Sub (Original) is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Potbelly, at an estimated 13.0g PUFA. Fried items and creamy, mayo-based sauces are usually the heaviest.
What are seed oils?
Seed oils — canola, soybean, sunflower, corn, and similar vegetable oils — are extracted from seeds using high heat and chemical solvents. They are very high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which are unstable at cooking temperatures and can oxidize easily. Many health-conscious eaters choose to minimize seed oils and prefer foods cooked in beef tallow, butter, coconut oil, or olive oil instead. This page shows estimated PUFA grams per menu item to help you make more informed choices. These are estimates — actual values vary by preparation and location. Curious why people avoid them? Read the evidence.
Compare other chains
Port of Subs · Portillo's · Postino WineCafe · Pret A Manger · Pretzelmaker · PrimoHoagies
See where Potbelly lands on the full Seed Oil Index, or check which chains cook in real fats on Tallow Watch.