Chef Darius Johnson is set to open a new food stall, Sage & Citrus, at Camp North End in early spring 2026. Located at 1801 North Graham St., this venture aims to provide healthy meal options in a fast-casual setting, addressing the rising demand for nutritious food choices.
The Keswick food stall, previously occupied by Eggroll Co., is undergoing a transformation. Eggroll Co. announced earlier this year that it would relocate to a larger space within Camp North End. Johnson’s vision for Sage & Citrus stems from his personal journey with health-focused cuisine and his experience as a personal chef for professional athletes in the NBA and NFL.
Sage & Citrus will feature a menu centered around wellness, offering a range of fast-casual dishes. Customers can expect options such as salmon bowls, short rib entrees, and rotating seasonal soups like lobster bisque. Additionally, the stall will serve healthy smoothies, with Johnson particularly highlighting the fried oyster mushroom sandwich as his favorite offering.
Transforming Fast-Casual Dining
For Johnson, the establishment of Sage & Citrus represents a broader goal: to challenge the dominance of unhealthy options in the fast-casual sector. He envisions this food stall as merely the beginning of a larger brand expansion that could lead to multiple locations. His aspiration is to influence the fast-casual dining landscape towards healthier alternatives.
In pursuit of this mission, Johnson aims to collaborate with local businesses, including gyms, to facilitate access to nutritious meals for the community. He expressed a strong desire to innovate the concept of fast food. “I like the idea of building our own drive-thrus and redefining what we know fast food to be today,” Johnson stated in an interview with What Now Charlotte. “I want to be part of that shift in offering a product that people can benefit from in the fast-casual industry today.”
As the opening date approaches, the excitement around Sage & Citrus grows. Johnson’s commitment to healthier dining options reflects a growing trend among consumers seeking nutritious meals in convenient settings. With his experience and vision, Sage & Citrus is poised to become a notable player in the fast-casual dining scene at Camp North End and beyond.
