The Oaks has struggled in recent years as it has moved away from retail businesses and added other establishments such as dance studios. The popular Oaks movie theater closed in 2003 after 25 years of operation. Shopping center owner Peter Pau's Sand Hill Properties hopes to return to more locally owned retail businesses.

"We thought it was a good way to expand upon the variety we have there now," said Chuck Marsh, general manager of the Oaks. Currently, the shopping center has such eateries as a Hobee's Restaurant, a Coffee Society and a Togo's. "We also felt the price range was appropriate for De Anza students," Marsh said.

Taco del Mar owner Jeff Minard, a Cupertino resident, also liked the Oaks' location across the street from De Anza College. "There will be 28,000 hungry students nearby," he said, while also appreciative of the opportunity the Oaks provided in an otherwise tough commercial real estate market. The Oaks is 85 percent leased.

Minard has been looking for a place to open a Taco del Mar since living in Seattle, where Taco del Mar's are prevalent. While in Seattle, he became especially fond of the restaurant's fresh ingredients, particularly its fish caught from the North Pacific Ocean.

The Cupertino restaurant will be he first Taco Del Mar in Northern California.

Although Taco Del Mar is a Seattle-based chain, it features a Baja California--style beach atmosphere. "It's a beach shack--type theme," Minard said, "with surfboards on the ceiling and fiberglass fish." In addition to fish, the menu also includes burritos, tacos and enchiladas.