Life of Pie: The Story of a Dentist Turned Expert Baker

James Blake’s Career Change Is Your Gain

Written By: Ryan Whitehead Doc’s Pie Shop Seal Beach

Perched on the corner of Main and PCH in Seal Beach is the two-month old Doc’s Pie Shop. It stands proudly with its gazebo-like structure and blue canopies. Pies and fresh brewed coffee are what owner James Blake felt like downtown Seal Beach needed. Don’t think for a second that this is just your standard local neighborhood bakery, serving the basics like apple pie or lemon meringue. Doc’s covers everyone’s pie-related needs, ranging from sweet dessert pies to meat versions, and serving up the highest quality coffee made from the best beans and the most unique roasters.

Blake can be spotted greeting his guests as they enjoy their slice and cup of joe. Little do they know that Blake’s previous occupation is far from rolling and prepping dough. For 23 years, Blake served the Seal Beach community as a dentist. Although he loved his patients, staff and location, his practice was cut short due to an eyesight issue. With the future being uncertain, it was then that his lingering love for baking made itself a priority and a new adventure.

When he had the chance to buy Doc’s current space at Main and PCH, his new venture and dream became a reality. Doc’s pies are baked fresh everyday on site, with every crust hand shaped and fillings made with fresh fruits, which truly make them stand out.

Customers have a variety of options as far as ordering their pies either by the slice or as a whole-mini. The sweet pies come by the slice in a multitude of scrumptious flavors including apple, fruit, cream and tart. Doc’s offers seasonal items as well throughout the year, depending on which ingredients are the freshest. Familiar classics are always a favorite, such as the popular boysenberry, which contains fresh berries and a hint of sugar and spice, all baked in a flaky, double crust, while others are more daring, like the pear jalapeno, made with a lattice crust and features a sweet and spicy combo with delicious pears and bits of jalapeno. The savory pies come in meat and veggie options, including the CBT, which combines both groups together with chicken, bacon and tomato. Doc’s even offers a breakfast variety. Did we mention a fresh cracked egg baked within the pie? Yum!

They go above and beyond, offering other items such as Pookies, a combo pie and cookie treat, and classic flavored milkshakes. Doc’s even caters to the health nuts, offering up items like the Seal Beach Salad and the housemade granola and fruit parfait.  

Aside from the food and pastries, Doc’s pays as much attention to their beverages as they do with their pies. Coffee and tea service is a big part of the Doc’s Pie Shop experience. The coffee beans are sourced from a roaster in Bozeman, Montana, which allows Doc’s to offer unique flavors, blends and single origin offerings. Their tea program is intriguing as well, providing a wide variety of traditional, matcha, chai and herbal selections. All of the coffee and tea drinks are crafted by Doc’s outstanding baristas. Make sure to get a picture of the seal stencil expertly decorated on top of your latte, which has become quite the hit at Doc’s and makes for the perfect Instagram snap.

Native Knowledge: Blake is proud to have had such amazing support from his friends, family and the community of Seal Beach. His family has been a great source of inspiration and support, and his core team has brought experience, wisdom and fun to Doc’s everyday.

Doc’s Pie Shop
350 Main St
Seal Beach, CA 90740
562.431.2099 | www.docspieshop.com
Doc’s Pie Shop in Seal Beach Is a Real Game Changer

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