AJ’s Music Cafe

AJ’s Café is sometimes called the living room of Ferndale. It’s an everyone welcome, come as you are sort of place that fits on the lowest strata of the four coffeehouse options in downtown Ferndale, below the hip groove of Java Hutt and the upscale, sultry experience that is Torino Espresso Bar.
AJ’s not sparkling clean, the food is on the vegan side, and everything is kind of thrown together. On a quiet night, it’s a decent place to curl up and try to read a book, answer e-​mail or try and get a bit of work done. Readings and lectures are common on the side of the café which features a stage, with a distinctly bohemian or very liberal slant to the discussions. Live music with local musicians or open mike nights can pack this place to the gills.
On my first visit, I came to write and revise my novel, and I ended up snuggled in a well-​worn booth festooned with cuddly blankets, enjoying the quiet homely atmosphere. Unfortunately the café closed quite early just as I was getting into my groove. I have that complaint about a lot of local places in Ferndale: their hours are unpredictable and little in the Metro area stays open much past 9PM, especially on weekend nights. Quoi?! Wouldn’t that be prime time to get out of the house, especially on Saturdays? I digress.
They serve meals here, although the offerings are limited and haphazardly thrown together by a kitchen staff rotating as frequently as Nicki Minaj’s hairstyles. I’ve heard from reliable sources that most of the new staff are not foodsafe trained, and the overturn in employees is high. That said, the inconsistency of the food preparation and offerings disappointed me to the point I invariably turn to Torino or Java Hutt for my writing excursions. Sandwiches and soup range from plain veggie to decent (the pumpkin pureed soup was well-​spiced and tasty), but nothing exhilarating. Drinks are the go-​to for most people, and with Redhook right down the way, there’s really nothing AJ’s offers which I couldn’t buy myself from Costco. (Speaking of, my friend swears the coffee there tastes exactly the same as the Kirkland brand. Taste testings would have been useful.) The selection of teas, my staple, left much to be desired and tea aficionados would be advised to bring their own bag or tin and just ask for hot water.
AJ’s Café is a patchwork of decorations and tables, a few couches in the corner, and wooden chairs for the stage. Its bohemian look is not sexy like Torino or modern like Java Hutt or tidy’n’go like Tim Horton’s, and that’s not a problem. Ferndale has room for all these niches in a mile radius. It needs a damn good scrub in there, and I have my serious doubts about the cleanliness of the bathrooms and all high traffic areas. AJ’s looks exactly like the lived-​in place it is, full of music and a broad cross-​section of the city I happily call home.
My more recent experiences have left me with an air of increasing dissatisfaction. Service is spotty at the best of times, often delayed by conversations had up at the bar. I like politics as much as the next person in a welcoming environment, but please fill my food order first before launching into a diatribe about the foils and foibles of the state Republicans with another person. In full swing, the environment isn’t particularly welcoming for apolitical folks or those of a particularly conservative stripe as the owner is quite outspoken on his views. Not a bad thing if he’s running for Congress, not so helpful as an independent business owner.
As service and food are so hit and miss, I find myself dropping in less and less. Finding a place to sit at key times is tricky (just as it is at Java Hutt), and frequently patrons will set themselves up for hours. Seating during entertainment events is hard, and the place gets loud. Be aware.

I got charged for tap water???
Seems like it has the potential to be a cool place to hang out, i could have just went on an off night. Don’t waste your money on vegetarian/​vegan food options– they are dull. But smoothies n juices looked great (didnt try them though).

AJ’s is great, a good place to gather with friends, talk with community, admire local art and eat delicious food. Open Mic nights, fundraisers for community projects, AJ’s is always doing something to improve and strengthen the community around it. Love this place!

Nice staff, relaxed environment, good music, and good food!
I love AJs, mostly because the staff is so friendly. They are also dog friendly. You can bring your dog inside, or sit in the outside patio. My dog prefers to lounge in our of their booths with me.
The prices are pretty high, but you can tell that it is just because they are a small, independent business, so that does not bother me.
Thanks AJ and Justin!

A most-​welcome respite from overly-​designed, sterile, white-​flight businesses. 3 ½ stars
Hygienically speaking, this place is clean and well-​kept. Aesthetically I would say it looks ‘lived-​in.’ It feels like there are layers and layers of personality here, both in décor and clientele. For goodness sake I saw a bearded older gentleman in train conductor-​like overalls on one side and college-​aged hip young ladies studying on the other. A middle-​aged woman sat down and played some tunes on the piano while waiting for her order, then left when she got her coffee.
Seems like a large selection of food-​stuffs though I didn’t sample them. Chai is made in-​house and pretty tasty. Service is slow, but it’s also enjoyable. No less than three interesting people struck up conversation with me during the line/​ordering process. The barrista was really personable.
There are booths and tables. Also couches and lounging chairs. Lots of sun near the front windows. Really lovely patio in back with lots of greenery. There’s an ATM in the back along with a single uni-​sex bathroom. Free and fast wi-​fi but ya gotta ask for the password at the front desk.
This seems like one of the few places on the strip that hasn’t yet been taken over by an overarching sense of commodity.

Oh AJ’s…I tried so hard to appreciate what you bring to the community but sadly, the simple things that I look for in an establishment have gone and left your building.
Reading about it on Unilocal and various other internet elements had me intrigued especially with a friend musician playing there which is how I heard about it. The idea of a café with deep roots in vegan foods plus a musical heritage (they proudly display Guiness Records they have set with marathon concerts) seemed too good to be true and as any good Unilocaler will tell ya… you have to try these places out.
Its a very quaint space, almost lost to the eye by the large, bold and trendy bars and restaurants that have set up shop up shop on 9 mile. Refreshing to see there is a bit of the little guys left in our evolving suburbs. My enthusiasm changed however when I walked inside. My introduction included a very disorganized kitchen that honestly didn’t look all that clean. A Unilocal 5 star rating was out of the question… now we’re looking at best 4 stars.
Upon ordering I got a bit frustrated. The gentleman behind the counter, nice as he was, decided it was an appropriate time to query my political affiliation… uncomfortable. 4 stars gone, lets shoot for 3.
The menu is fantastic for vegans, which I am not, but my companion for this adventure is. I tried the Seitan Philly Cheese Steak, she tried the Seitan Reuben. Both sandwiches were delicious but they were made on ordinary sliced bread, it’s like buying a Rolex with a cheap band, it ruined it.
AJ’s lost the 3^rd star with table cleanliness. The table was sticky and bits of food from the previous occupants remained. If it were busy I wouldn’t be as picky but it wasn’t. The employees were all sitting at a table themselves talking politics. Customer service and facility cleanliness should come first… AJ’s political dreams can be realized after hours.

I’ve been bringing my family to AJ’s since they opened and we just love the place. AJ’s is unique. It is a real community center of Ferndale, highlighting some of the best features of Ferndale: friendliness and art and progressive thinking. They have great coffee drinks which can be served to you in a ceramic mug of your choice. It’s a big improvement over Xhedos which used to be so dark and gloomy, especially since they expanded to add the stage room.
A word about cleanliness. I keep my house very clean because that’s the way I like it, but I don’t keep it as clean as Starbuck’s with books arranged a certain way on my coffee table. That would not be relaxing for me. I feel very relaxed at AJ’s. I find the unpretentious and sometimes unpredictable features stimulating instead of shocking as some of the reviewers have implied – stating that they would not return because it was grungy or «too granola». I suspect they were wearing white gloves.
They have an extensive menu and I have enjoyed many sandwiches, great soups and bagels as well as top notch coffee and smoothies. I live in Warren and I wish we had something like AJ’s here. Long may it live!

I have given AJ’s more chances than it deserves and each visit is worse than the last. The staff is extremely slow. The baked goods are always stale and they rarely have anything decent. The coffee drinks are flavorless and way too over priced. And on top of that, the place just looks kind of dirty. The «décor» is all over the place and the «regular» clientel are more douchey than say the typical «i bring my lap-​top to starbucks every day and act like I’m doing something worthwhile» person. Would not recommend.

I have enjoyed music at this place, but overall I think it needs a bit of a makeover if it wants to succeed. Love the location of downtown Ferndale and it definitely has a ‘cozy’ vibe, but it also just feels mish-​mosh, thrown together, with no continuity — the walls seem dirty and old — could definitely use a face lift. Loved the people and the food, so wish it would just clean itself up a bit. Seems easily like it could be a 4 or 5 star rating on here.

Went here a couple weeks ago after finding out Chazzano’s isn’t open on Saturday mornings…
The barista/​counter-​guy was very friendly and quite funny — even before I had my first cup of java, and the coffee was decent. Unfortunately that’s where the positives for this place end.
It was very cluttered inside. The building is obviously old and while that can be a plus if a business works off it and accentuates the history of their space, in AJs case it just looks old, rundown and most important for an establishment serving food and beverages — Dirty! Equipment was dusty/​dirty, the floors and walls were gross.
I wanted to like this place. I prefer local coffee shops to the national chains but this is one I won’t return to.

AJ’s is not a quiet coffeehouse to work at by any means, but I enjoy it. There is live music most nights, and the staff is loud but very friendly and personable with everyone. They have large bench tables so it’s easy to come in and work with friends who all have laptops, bags and power cords. The coffee is strong but not grade-​A quality, and they seem to have a huge selection of baked goods, including lots of vegan treats.
If you’re looking for somewhere quiet to work or study, this isn’t the place. If you’re looking for a particular blend and roast of coffee made custom to every small request you have, this isn’t the place for that either. I’m low maintenance when it comes to my coffee and I prefer somewhere that gives me a good jolt of caffeine and a laid back atmosphere to work, rather than a stuffy uptight place with overpriced beverages.

I’m not a big fan of this place, it feels too unorganized; it wants to be a million different things at once. That being said, they do offer a venue for local bands to play and it is locally owned, which I like. Overall, if you like the sort of noisy, hodgepodge place, it may be your favorite place.

I just can’t get into this place. I’ve been to AJ’s several times and had some decent, certainly not exceptional, coffee. Can’t speak for the food. The best thing I’ve tried is the Cajun Hot Chocolate. It will warm you up. No doubt about it.
Let me just say, before I get into the atmosphere of the place, that if the coffee was really good… that might cancel out some things where the atmosphere goes wrong.
The place itself is a weird mish-​mash of bad art and strange furniture all thrown into one open space. I like kitch sometimes, when done in moderation, it has it’s charm. This place is far from charming. In fact, it comes across as sloppy. Dirty even.
It feels like a coffee barn, not a shop or café. It’s not a place that I really feel comfortable relaxing in. The room with the stage feels cavernous near the back and the front window has an elevated stage with chairs. I don’t want to be the store’s window display while trying to relax and drink some coffee. It’s just a strange setup. If I do dare go back, I’m definitely getting my coffee order «to GO»!

This is the old-​school community-​type coffeehouse. It’s not slick or quiet, but that’s why people hang out here.
The good stuff: The big bench tables that are easy to work at – with a computer or a project. Lots of vegan and veggie options. The staff is friendly, the coffee is strong and you can totally promote your indie-​yoga-​dj-​circle 5^th anniversary party in the huge community rack.
The eh stuff: It seems to be open mic night every night. The cappuccino machine is the loudest on the planet — once it’s in use you will not be talking to your friend until it’s off.
Overall: A great place for casual working, hanging out with buds or hosting your knitting circle. A crummy place to study for the exam that’s worth 50 percent of your grade.

As I write this review I am sitting at AJ’s. First, let me say this place will not appeal to everyone. AJ’s is a community centered, hippy coffee shop that also serves food, baked goods, soda, and smoothies. Oh, did I mention they have a stage and have open mic 5 nights a week starting at 8 pm? As I sit here, I count 14 vegan menu items such as mexi tofu wrap, bean burrito, and a hummus plate. They also have meat options such as hamburgers, chili, and a BLT… The food is ok but I don’t come here for the food. I come to hear free music and use the wifi. AJ’s also displays local art work, local events in the area, and has a small selection of books for you to read and board games in case you get bored. I’d rather give my $ 3 for a chai latte to a place like this than say Starbucks, but that’s just me. Believe it or not, the owner (AJ) actually will make your coffee and your food and is always friendly. The customers are full of friendly regulars and is very diverse. This place reminds of coffee shops when I lived in Seattle. Very chill and inviting atmosphere. If you are not from the area, park in the back in the metered parking… there’s ALWAYS open spots but the meters only take quarters.

Aj’s is a cool place. The lunch deals are great (a.k.a. box lunch?) and the vanilla chai milkshake is really good. Any of the coffees will tantilize your tastebuds. If you are going to study there? do so before dinner hours and take a pair of earplugs just to squash the chit chatters rumblings. Evening hours are for hanging out, not studying. Good place to get some caffeine before hitting the bars! Interesting characters in here.

One day in August all of my regular study cafes were jammed, so I tried out AJ’s.
It was a failure. There was no air-​conditioning, and there was a cabaret show going on in the background. I found the cabaret far more interesting than spinal anatomy, and this is the best thing about AJ’s: the quirky shows. But as for the offerings, I was underwhelmed by my tea (hard to underwhelm me for tea).
I might be inclined to return for one of their campy shows with some friends, but definitely not a place where I’d relax, and I’ll never return to study there.

So, with the death of Xhedos coffee shop, a vein to the community, AJ’s was born. And as disappointing as it is to see such a staple leave the Metro area AJ’s has picked up where Xhedos left off. Offering patrons everything from vegan tacos to cappuccinos AJ’s is rare in its breed with corporate coffee shops popping up left and right. In addition, to the menu AJ’s often has entertainment good for the whole family, from local folk singers to magic shows.
The décor leaves one desiring a little more, but the art, by local artists definitely gives AJ’s an artsy, grass roots feel .If you tired of paying 10 bucks for a shot of espresso come down to AJ’s, use the free-​Wi –Fi and sip on a hearty cup of joe.

Cool coffee house vibe.
I like the ferdalian breakfast blend if I’m drinking a cup of joe.
I usually frequent this place to see a friend’s band play. Their sound system is pretty impressive for your local coffee shop.
As Michael mentioned, he thought the clientele was a bit snooty… I have never had this problem– perhaps evening is a better time to go (when I’ve been there).
As far as food, I have yet to try, but they do offer vegan and vegetarian options– I can hear my vegan friends’ sighs of relief.

Aj’s is the new incarnation of Xhedos café.
Not a whole lot has changed since the days of Xhedos’ rein over downtown Ferndale as the premier coffee shop and hipster hangout. (Unless you were one of those Gotham City cats.)
Coffee is still a bit over the top, both in strength and price. The clientele is still a bit… snooty. Don’t let that stop you. That’s what sarcasm was invented for!
What Aj’s still does and does well is offer a place for local and touring acts to play. I’ve seen a few friends play here, no nationals yet, but looking forward to it.
If you were a Xhedos fan, then don’t fret, it’s still here, just with a shiny new name and the same stuff you’ve dug all along.