Potbelly Vegan and Vegetarian Options 2025
Imagine slipping into a bustling Potbelly shop on a crisp fall day, the aroma of toasted bread mingling with fresh veggies, and spotting a lineup of salads and melts that fit your plant-powered lifestyle without skimping on flavor.
This 2025 guide dives into Potbelly vegan and vegetarian options menu highlights—from customizable salads like the Powerhouse to hearty soups and cheese-free melts—drawing from official allergen data, nutrition updates, and real diner feedback.
You’ll get detailed item breakdowns, calorie snapshots, customization tips, comparisons to rivals, user stories, and FAQs to navigate options at over 400 locations. By the end, arm yourself with steps to build satisfying, meat-free meals that earn Perks points too, ensuring every bite aligns with your 2025 wellness goals.
Table of Contents
Understanding Potbelly’s Plant-Based Approach in 2025
Potbelly, the Chicago-born chain famous for toasty subs since 1977, has leaned into customer demand for greener choices this year. While not fully plant-based, their 2025 menu emphasizes flexible customizations, with clear allergen labeling for dairy, eggs, and more on their nutrition calculator. Vegetarian options abound naturally, but vegans thrive by skipping cheese, eggs, and creamy dressings—think balsamic vinaigrette instead of ranch. Updates include expanded hummus portions in salads and confirmed vegan status for staples like the Garden Vegetable Soup, per recent allergen guides. All items work with the Perks program, earning 10 coins per dollar toward free rewards.
For a full menu overview, check the Potbelly menu or download the Potbelly menu PDF.
Top Vegetarian Options at Potbelly in 2025
Vegetarians have solid staples here, with melted cheeses and eggs adding comfort without meat. These picks shine for their hearty portions and toasty appeal.
| Item | Description | Price | Calories | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veggie Melt | Toasted roll with swiss, cheddar, provolone, sautéed mushrooms, avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles. | $11.29 | 465 | Classic comfort; pair with chips for a full meal. |
| Mac & Cheese | Creamy three-cheese blend baked golden. | $5.49 | 297 | Kid-friendly side or entree; naturally meat-free. |
| Grilled Cheese | Melted cheddar on toasted white or multigrain bread. | $9.99 | 420 | Simple and nostalgic; thin-cut option for lighter bites. |
| Powerhouse Salad | Field greens with grilled chicken, avocado, hummus, hard-boiled egg, cucumber, tomatoes, and non-fat vinaigrette. (Omit chicken for pure veg.) | $10.99 | 324 (without chicken) | Protein-packed; sub multigrain bread for a wrap. |
| Farmhouse Salad | Greens with bacon, blue cheese, egg, cucumber, tomatoes, and ranch. (Omit bacon for veg.) | $10.99 | 425 (without bacon) | Hearty and customizable; blue cheese adds tang. |
| Broccoli Cheddar Soup | Creamy soup with broccoli and carrots. | $5.49 | 233 | Warm and filling; vegetarian by default. |
These hold steady from 2024, with 2025 tweaks like optional gluten-free bread swaps. Tip: Ask for extra mushrooms or peppers to amp up veggies without extra cost.
Best Vegan Options and Customizations for 2025
Vegans, rejoice—Potbelly’s flexibility shines with simple swaps, confirmed dairy-free in their latest allergen menu. Focus on hummus, avocado, and broth-based soups for satisfaction.
| Item | Description | Price | Calories | Vegan Customization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Vegetable Soup | Light tomato broth with beans, carrots, celery, corn, mushrooms, onions, peppers, potatoes, and zucchini. | $5.49 | 73 | Naturally vegan; no changes needed. |
| Powerhouse Salad | As above, sans chicken and egg. | $10.99 | 324 | Skip egg; use oil/vinegar dressing. Hummus and avocado deliver creaminess. |
| Veggie Melt | As above, sans cheeses. | $11.29 | ~300 (estimated without cheese) | Hold all dairy; load up on avocado and mushrooms for binding. |
| Mediterranean | Toasted roll with hummus, feta, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, and cucumbers. (Vegan version omits feta.) | $12.29 | 621 (without feta) | No cheese; add pickles or hot peppers for zing. Can be salad-style. |
| PB&J | Creamy peanut butter and grape jelly on toasted bread. | $9.99 | 605 | Naturally vegan; confirm jelly ingredients if cross-contamination concerns. |
2025 highlight: Enhanced hummus scoops in salads for better plant protein, per fan sites tracking updates. For drinks, stick to sodas, iced tea, or water—avoid shakes. Pro tip: Use the app’s nutrition calculator to verify swaps.
Dive deeper into nutritional breakdowns on the Potbelly menu nutrition page.
Vegan and Vegetarian vs. Competitors in 2025
Potbelly holds its own against chains like Subway or Sweetgreen, offering toasty warmth over cold assemblies. Vs. Subway: More customizable salads, but Subway edges with Beyond Meat patties (vegan-ready). Vs. Cava: Potbelly’s soups add variety, though Cava wins on Mediterranean bowls. In 2025, Potbelly’s no-upcharge customizations make it budget-friendly for groups—ideal for Potbelly catering.
Quick Comparison Table:
| Feature | Potbelly | Subway | Sweetgreen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegan Sandwiches | Custom melts (no cheese) | Veggie Delite | Limited wraps |
| Salad Variety | 4+ bases, hummus boost | Basic greens | Premium bowls |
| Soup Options | 1 vegan staple | None | Occasional |
| Price for Veg Meal | $10-12 | $8-10 | $12-15 |
| 2025 Updates | Hummus expansions | Plant-based meats | Seasonal grains |
Choose Potbelly for cozy, quick vegan melts; opt for others if you crave fully pre-built bowls.
Real User Stories from 2025
A Reddit user raved about the no-cheese Veggie Melt as a “game-changer for vegan lunch runs,” pairing it with Garden Soup for under 400 calories. On Yelp, a diner in Chicago customized the Powerhouse Salad sans egg, calling it “surprisingly filling and fresh” during a busy workday. Gripes? Occasional cross-contamination warnings in busy shops, but staff knowledge has improved per 2025 reviews. One TikTok creator shared a hack: Add roasted red peppers to PB&J for a sweet-savory twist.
Tip: Visit during off-peak hours and flag your order early to minimize risks—check Potbelly locations for quieter spots.
FAQs on Potbelly Vegan and Vegetarian Options 2025
What are the best vegan sandwiches at Potbelly in 2025?
The no-cheese Veggie Melt or feta-free Mediterranean top the list—both under $12 and customizable with extra veggies for protein.
Are Potbelly salads vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, all four (Farmhouse, Apple Walnut, Powerhouse, Chicken Salad) can be made vegetarian by omitting meat; Powerhouse shines without chicken.
Does Potbelly have vegan soups?
Absolutely—the Garden Vegetable Soup is fully vegan at $5.49 and 73 calories, packed with beans and veggies.
How do I customize for vegan at Potbelly?
Request no dairy, eggs, or meat; use oil/vinegar dressings. Their allergen menu confirms safe swaps.
Tips to Maximize Your Plant-Based Potbelly Visit
Start with the app to preview allergens, then build a combo: Vegan Powerhouse Salad + Garden Soup for ~400 calories and $16. Stack Perks for a free cookie (skip for vegan) after a few visits. If catering a veg event, scale up salads—contact via their site for bulk tweaks.
One diner turned weekly orders into a routine by journaling customizations, saving time and ensuring consistency. Ready to try? Head to your nearest spot and share your go-to in the comments—what’s your 2025 vegan hack?