The reputation of RJ Sauce’s Sweet Mustard Sauce, developed by Wise native Russell “Russ” Johns, Jr., continues to grow. Earlier this month, the sauce won first place in the Mustard BBQ Sauce category at the 19th Annual North Carolina Hot Sauce Contest & Festival in Oxford. He also won third place in the same category with his mustard sauce.
Johns was born in New Jersey and raised in Wise. A graduate of Norlina High School, he served in the United States National Guard from 1981-97.
Johns entered the restaurant business following his military service, operating Pizza Plus in Sacramento, Calif., where he lived for 20 years. The restaurant offered such fare as pizza, subs and salads, with ribs and chicken on the weekends. Johns began offering his sweet mustard sauce there, using it with the ribs and chicken. The Pizza Plus customers loved it…