"More than just a coffeehouse, Ferndale's A.J.’s Cafe is the nucleus for many of Detroit’s young artists, musicians and organizers. What lures them in? A respectable vegan menu, free Wi-fi and an open and thriving spirit of community. Like the coffee shop in Friends, there’s always something going on at A.J.’s: art gallery showings, nightly open-mic opportunities, political forums, wacky fundraisers ... if you’ve got an idea, A.J.’s will host it. Our favorite event: The Assembly Line Concerts (check the Guinness Book of World Records), which broke the record in 2009 for longest multi-artist concert (268 hours straight!). With that kind of energy, it’s not surprising that the lattes are also favored." -- Best of Detroit 2010