(SAN DIEGO)—February 28, 2006—A “Fish Friday” fish taco from Taco Del Mar can change lives during a special benefit for Father Joe’s Villages. Every Friday from March 3 to April 14, every Taco Del Mar restaurant throughout San Diego County is giving away its signature fish tacos when customers donate a dollar or more to benefit the programs of Father Joe’s Villages.

Taco Del Mar is a relative newcomer to San Diego’s fast casual dining scene opening locations over the last 18 months, although the independent restaurant chain was concieved there in the late 1980s by co-founder and then UCSD student James Schmidt. The hot concept has burst onto the scene, serving its trademark mondo burritos and rippin’ tacos with a side mantra of “Feed your inner Baja.” With seven locations and growing in greater San Diego, Taco Del Mar is quickly connecting to its community.

“For years, I’ve seen the difference Father Joe has made in San Diegans’ lives, everything from job training and counseling, to housing for homeless families,” said Bertha Edington, Taco Del Mar Master Developer for San Diego, Imperial and South Riverside counties. “We wanted to give back to our communty through this vital program, and what better way than with Fish Fridays?”

Here’s how it works: Visit any Taco Del Mar location in San Diego or Lake Elsinore, say you’re there for “Fish Friday,” drop a dollar in the donation jar and walk away with a fabulous fish taco. Restaurant locations include:

• Central Avenue, Lake Elsinore
  
• Morena Vista Trolley Station, West Mission Valley
  
• Fenton Marketplace, Mission Valley
  
• Stowe Plaza, Poway
  
• Island & 10th (the M2i building), Downtown
  
• Melrose & Park, Vista
  
• Plaza Camino Real, Carlsbad
  
  

All donations benefit Father Joe's Villages, which helps people in need turn their lives around and regain independence. Each of Father Joe's Villages programs provides comprehensive, essential care under one roof. Programs such as education, job training, child care, medical and dental care and substance abuse counseling enable thousands of families and individuals to discover the confidence and the ability to succeed.

Inspired by the vibrant food and spirit of Baja and Southern California, Taco Del Mar's fresh, fast and filling mondo burritos and rippin’ tacos are in 189 locations from Alaska to Puerto Rico. Each restaurant offers liberal, 24-ounce mondo burritos, fish tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, kids meals, salads, vegetarian and vegan selections. Store decor festively sets the “Inner Baja” mood with surf murals, thatched umbrellas, and long board tabletops. Learn more at http://www.tacodelmar.com.