Before opening Taco Del Mar's startup location in Seattle in 1992, its founders spent years surfing California's coastline and devouring fish tacos and stuffed burritos. During this time, they developed a bottomless appetite for the local specialty—a taco with fried fish, shredded cabbage, lime juice, salsa, and a mystery white sauce—and decided to make it their signature menu item. Since then, the chain has opened locations in more than 20 U.S. states and four Canadian shires.

At the restaurant's Eagle and Boise locations, the menu gives locals a taste of California-surfer cuisine and "mission-style" eats inspired by the Latino restaurants of San Francisco's bay area. Fresh guacamole dresses tortilla chips, and proteins such as pork mole or fried Alaskan cod fill tacos. Cooks roll meats such as braised chicken or shrimp into cylinders or edible origami. The foodsmiths also whip up vegetarian and vegan options.