<p>In addition to food-to-go, the food cart El Asadero in Astoria offers indoor and outdoor seating.</p>

Editors note: This is part one of a two-part series. Read part two next week.

Although the idea of mobile dining is hardly a new concept (think drive-ins and waitresses on roller skates), the number of food trucks and take-out only restaurants is on the rise.

I attribute it mainly to the economic downturn that started in 2008, which prevented many aspiring restaurateurs from investing the serious capital that is required to get a brick-and-mortar establishment up and running. Mobile food trucks are certainly a less expensive way to introduce your food to the public in a down economy (I dont think any item at the three places Im reviewing here is over $10). Beyond that, mobile food venues have taken a surprising, inspired turn think interesting fusions of cultures and genres (duck tacos? Falafel crepes?), and quite often, gourmet ingredients are prepared and sold for far less than youd see in a restaurant.

Summer has come to the coast, which means two things: One, our local dining establishments are suddenly going to get very busy, and two, we might actually get some decent weather for a change. What this means is that its a perfect time to get outside and explore the food truck offerings up and down our coastline, and surprisingly, there are many. In this two-part series, Im going to be doing just that.

The Curbside Grill

3909 Pacific Hwy, Seaview, WA 98644

Hours: Open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Dont let its location in the parking lot of the Shell gas station fool you. The Curbside Grill means serious business, and its seriously tasty. The owner pays tremendous attention to detail and is committed to using only high-quality ingredients in his sandwiches, soups and burgers.

My favorite sandwich to date is the grilled pastrami, which features thick, hearty, juicy strips of pastrami, grilled onions, and yellow mustard on a hoagie roll. I once asked the owner where he gets such wonderful pastrami, and he said he goes out of town often to a bigger city, where choice cuts of meat are readily available.

The burger, which can come with a variety of toppings, including sautéed mushrooms, is one of the better burgers Ive sampled locally, with a near-crisp sear and well-seasoned meat.

For a guilty splurge, try the onion rings, which feature a delightful crunch and a tasty batter, or if you want to feel really, really guilty, try the hand-cut French fries with homemade chili and shredded cheddar on top. They are enough for an entire meal, and with the chili on top, you can almost fool yourself into thinking theyre good for you. No matter every single offering I have tried at the Curbside Grill is outstanding.

El Asadero

490 W Marine Drive, Astoria, OR 97103

Hours: Open for lunch and dinner daily.

Although my Spanish is a little rusty, if memory serves, el asadero would be something like a broiler or a roaster, or more likely it would be translated as the grill. This is fitting then, for a food truck that is grilling up all kinds of delicious, authentic Mexican food, and with its tremendous popularity and prominent location near the Youngs Bay Bridge, I consider El Asadero to be the king of the area food trucks.

Mexican food in our area doesnt get much more authentic than this, and I rarely stop there without ending up ordering a boatload of tacos: Beef and chicken are moist and flavorful, but the spicy pork (tacos al pastor) are exceptional. If youre feeling in a daring mood, try the la lengua tacos they are made of beef tongue, which I know sounds scary, but trust me when I say they are prepared just the way beef tongue ought to be, and when you taste them youll kick yourself for not trying them sooner.

The burritos are large enough to feed two people, the pico de gallo is fresh and brightly flavored, and although I couldnt pin down what their exact hours are, they always seem to be open. I cannot recommend El Asadero strongly enough!

Surfer Sands

1113 Pacific Ave. S., Long Beach, WA 98631 360-642-7873

Hours: Open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Surfer Sands is a take-out stand that is known for its authentic Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, as well as a variety of other sandwiches and salads. All the bread used for sandwiches is homemade, and there are many fun variations on the Philly for those who are adventurous (such as bacon, mushrooms or sriracha sauce). I prefer mine to be traditional and simple, so I order the big kahuna, with grilled steak, onions and peppers smothered in provolone, inside a homemade bun and wrapped up tightly so the flavors can really meld.

If something lighter is more your speed, try the turn turtle sandwich, with thick, juicy slices of turkey, Swiss cheese, cranberry sauce and fresh spinach salad. The classic BLT (bacon, lettuce and tomato) sandwich is a perfect, standard choice, only made better by the bread.

Paired with a bag of chips and a cold soda on the side, these sandwiches are simply unbeatable.

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Stay tuned: Next week I will cover three more outstanding places for food on foot.