Fast-food and fast-casual restaurants like to target college towns, where hungry students are short on time.

Downtown Lincoln a hop, skip and a jump from campus has seen a Pita Pit, Great Wraps! and Noodles open within the last year.

The latest to enter the fray is Taco Del Mar, which began serving burritos, tacos and other affordable entrees two weeks ago at its new location at 1317 O St.

It’s the second Taco Del Mar in town. The first opened in December in another high-traffic area at 27th Street and Pine Lake Road.

Taco Del Mar hangs its hat on its fish tacos and 24-ounce burritos.

The concept isn’t new to downtown. Locally owned Oso Burrito and corporate chain Chipotle sell big-as-your-head burritos. Oso also has fish tacos.

Taco Del Mar has a few more choices, however, including enchiladas, quesadillas, salads and a handful of vegetarian and vegan selections.

The chain dates back to June 1992, when brothers James and John Schmidt opened the first one in Seattle.

According to the company Web site, James Schmidt discovered fish tacos while studying at the University of California at San Diego in the late 1980s. His inspiration for Taco Del Mar was the shoreline shacks that dotted the Southern California and Baja beaches.

The brothers created a name and logo that reflected the signature menu items fish tacos and mission-style beef, pork and chicken burritos.

Today, there are 188 stores, primarily in the north central and northwest parts of the country.

The decor of each store reflects the “inner baja” mood with surf murals, thatched umbrellas and surfboard tabletops.

Customers order at one end of a counter and pay at the other end. In between, patrons choose toppings as they watch their food being assembled.

Meal prices generally run between $5 and $7, depending on your choices. Guacamole and sour cream cost $1 more.

I spent about $15 for two meals. I went with a three-taco meal, selecting two with fish made with fried Alaskan cod and one with shredded beef. Taco meals come with a side of chips.

My co-worker tried a half burrito and taco meal, one of six combination choices. He went with chicken for his burrito and fish for his taco. A small drink accompanies each combo meal.

The menu and prices should appeal to hungry college students. There’s no doubt the restaurant is going after the university market — it’s open until 2 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.

Dining out

Taco Del Mar

1317 O St.

Atmosphere: Casual

Specialty: Tacos, burritos

Payment: Cash, credit cards; no checks

Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Thursday-Saturday

Phone: (402) 476-8226

Web site: www.tacodelmar.com

Notes: on-street parking, no alcohol, takeout, children’s menu