Potbelly Sandwich Works – 1577 Spring Hill Road, Tysons, VA

 

♿ Accessibility Warning

 

What should have been a quick stop for a warm sandwich turned into a frustrating reminder of how far some places still need to go when it comes to accessibility.

 

The parking lot had ten spaces marked “Reserved for Potbelly Customers Thanks,” but not a single one designated as handicapped. No van-accessible stall, no clear ADA signage. From there, the challenges only multiplied.

 

I specifically searched online for “Top 10 Wheelchair Accessible Sandwich Restaurants in Tysons, VA” because my sister, who uses a walker, wanted something easy to take on a short road trip. Potbelly seemed like the perfect fit. Instead, after a five-minute effort just to get from the car to the entrance, what greeted us was not a ramp but a short flight of six steep, steel-capped concrete steps. For clarity: when I say “steps,” I mean the number of risers, the actual changes in elevation to get from the top to the bottom.

 

The look on her face said everything. Disappointment. Frustration. For someone in a wheelchair, entry here would be impossible without outside assistance. If a secondary accessible entrance exists, it certainly was not obvious.

 

Accessibility is not just about technical compliance. It is about dignity and independence, the ability to join friends for a simple meal without barriers.

 

 

Confusing Online Promises

 

What added to the frustration was the conflicting information. Online reviews described this location as having a wheelchair-friendly entrance, seating, restroom, and parking, “confirmed by patrons.” That did not match what we saw.

 

Yes, there is a sidewalk ramp to the right of Potbelly, but it leads to “A Plus Nails” and the northwest corner of the building, not to Potbelly’s entrance (that we could find).

 

Further digging revealed that Potbelly entered into a civil rights settlement agreement in 2007 with the Equal Rights Center, supposedly applying to all its restaurants nationwide. As a layperson, it seemed to me that a ramp could have been constructed off to the side of those existing stairs. Yet here we are, in 2025, still facing the same barrier.

 

Trying to verify anything from Potbelly itself was also a dead end. Their Google page has no “About” tab, and the linked official website is geared only toward placing orders. I also reached out directly to Potbelly customer service to clarify, but as of this writing I am still waiting for a substantive response.

 

 

For Everyone Else

 

If mobility is not a concern, this Potbelly is what you would expect: dependable toasted sandwiches, a casual and cozy setting, and a convenient location near Metro and Tysons Galleria. Food quality is generally solid, service often friendly, and prices are in line with what you would expect.

 

That said, consistency is an issue. Reports of locked doors 20 to 25 minutes before official closing time exist, bad news if you have ordered pickup late. Service, too, can swing between attentive and slow depending on the day. In fairness, these are issues you will find at many chain restaurants.

 

 

Bottom Line

 

For most diners, this Potbelly will deliver exactly what you came for, a toasted sandwich and a quick bite in Tysons. But for anyone with mobility challenges, the experience starts and ends at the curb. Until clear, functional accessibility is addressed, the first impression here is not a sandwich shop. It is a barrier.