California Dentist Gets Sweet Tooth & Becomes Pie Doc

Doc's Pie Shop and Specialty Coffee
350 Main Street, Suite A
Seal Beach
(562) 431-2099
docspieshop.com

By Chris MacDonald

Seal Beach, California — James Blake has always been in the smile business. The 54-year-old grew up as a happy, local surfer, who loved the beach. He still smiles when he grabs his board, climbs into his VW bus and heads for the waves off Surfside and Seal Beach.

His twin surfing brother, John said his mom was concerned about their future and once told her boys, "to get off the beach and find out about professions."

So the Marina High School students decided to volunteer at the Children's Dental Health Clinic in the Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. "We helped seat and comfort patients," James said. They loved the children and what the dentists did to help the kids at the non-profit, where even former Long Beach Mayor Beverly O'Neill got her smile worked on when she was in school.

Both brothers set their goals on becoming dentists and helping make people smile. They roomed together at USC and got their dental training at the University of Pacific. John had a practice in Long Beach, before becoming Executive Director/Dental Director of the Children's Dental Health Clinic, where he continues today.

James had a successful practice in Seal Beach for 23 years before retiring to follow another passion of his—Pies. He recently opened Doc's Pie Shop at Main and Pacific Coast Highway in Seal Beach.

Seal Beach Mayor Pro-Tem Mike Varipapa said Doc Blake "was the nicest dentist, who did a fantastic job, and I'm so impressed with his new business. Like his other one, it really creates smiles!"

Teeth and pie definitely not only mix but bring smiles. "It's hard to think of pie and not smile," said the doctor, who spends much time mingling with and bringing joy to his customers. "It makes you think of friends, family and fun."

The new Doc's Pie Shop is becoming a community gathering place, where the Mayor Pro-Tem and Police Chief recently met with the public to discuss different issues.

Doc's mom and sister were wonderful bakers, who had a major influence on his palate and dreams. But he leaves most of the baking to four pastry chefs, including the group's leader and manager, Karin Sorem, who studied at the French Culinary Institute in New York.

"We prepare our freshly baked sweet and savory pies on site in our cozy bakery,"  she said. "Everything is baked by hand from scratch, using only the highest quality ingredients."

You can actually watch them bake through a window. The type of pies changes depending on season, demand and other factors but I saw blackberry, blueberry, apple, peach, chicken/bacon/tomato and veggie, custard pumpkin, cream coconut, banana cream, quiche and even a breakfast pie (bacon, tomato, mushrooms, egg and cream).

To wash down the pies, he offers Docspresso, Cappuccino and other coffees roasted in Montana; teas supplied from Colorado, and milk (and milkshakes) from California cows.

If you're worried about getting any cavities from eating pie, the good doctor also offers toothbrushes and floss on the menu—probably a global first for pie shops!

His sense of humor transfers to the menu, where you see Doc-Tarts and Doctor's Orders—Seal Beach Salad or Housemade Granola & Fruit Parfait. And he just happened to open his business on Global Pi Day (3.14/Pi is a Greek symbol used in math).

Among his biggest fans are his kids, Christie and James, dog, Buck, and wife Patti, a formal dental hygienist, who enjoy the fruits of his labor.

Advertisement