The eight Surf Taco restaurants, all of them at or near the JerseynShore, have a youthful vibe. TV screens display surf videos, and Connect four sets are available for game players; two locations even feature Wii consoles for customer use.

The food, however, is cross-generationally irresistible.

The original surf taco tempura-battered cod with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, cilantro sauce and lime ($3.95) seems lifted straight from a Southern California taco stand. It packs a flavor punch, as do a selection of smoothies; try the Sambazon, made with acai berries ($5).

Rob Nagel, 38, a native of Tom’s River, opened the first Surf Taco restaurant in Point Pleasant Beach in 2001 with a partner, Ed Pierce, who worked in sales for a surf-clothing manufacturer. Mr. Nagel had spent six years in Santa Monica, Calif., and earned an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University in Malibu.

I just fell in love with the tacos, burritos and wraps out there, said Mr. Nagel, who now lives in Point Pleasant. Attempts to convince New Jersey customers that a seafood taco could be as satisfying as the ground beef kind, which Surf Taco also serves ($2.95), were met with skepticism at first, he said. But now I see more customers moving away from beef and coming in for fish. Thus the recent additions of a blackened mahi-mahi taco and a mango-shrimp taco (each $4.75).

Ambiance, too, played a big role as the chain sought to broaden its appeal among shore residents and visitors, Mr. Nagel said. I wanted people to have an experience where they could feel like they were escaping for 15 minutes, he said.

Surf Taco, at 1003 Main Street, Belmar, (732) 681-3001, and other New Jersey locations listed at surftaco.com. The restaurants are open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; the Jackson location, which has a bar, stays open later.