As diehard Pacific Northwesterners, we don ensembles of flip flops, shorts, sleeveless T-shirts, scarves, tug a cap on and bring a hoodie without thought to the weather forecast. Before winter's sullen gray months necessitate adding a jacket over said hoodie, the next few weeks of purely pleasant days and comfortable, lazy early evenings of late sunshine are a last chance for outdoor picnicking.  

Point Defiance Park, the mother of all Pierce County parks, beckons year round featuring multiple places with overhead covering to keep your tasty treats dry. Other outdoorsy spots are best experienced before the liquid sunshine becomes de rigueur. I've scoped out Tacoma take-out food items that travel well and matched them to enjoyable outdoors locations for getting your grub on in the sun.

Highly recommended by skydiving real estate agent Marguerite Giguere, Pacific Grill's (1502 Pacific Ave.) grilled cheese sandwich is anything but ordinary. Cave-aged gruyère and vintage white cheddar cheeses are locked in a forever embrace between slices of country-style sourdough bread. Vibrant tomato chutney makes this buttery grilled panini one to be reckoned with. A cup of soup can double as a dunking pool ($10.95). Add the imported prosciutto; its rich saltiness will make you forget your battle with ants.

Vegetarian tabouleh salad wraps from adjacent Zara Mediterranean Cuisine (1498 Pacific Ave.) pack a powerful punch in the flavor department. Simple cucumber, onion, parsley and bulgar wheat dressed in lemony mint olive oil is cradled in crisp romaine lettuce leaves ($8).  

Take your Pacific Grill and Zara bounty across The Bridge of Glass to the Thea Foss Parkway. Spread out a blanket on the grass near the small marina or grab a bench and join tourists gaze at Martin Blank's beautiful Fluent Steps installation at the Museum of Glass.

Twenty steps left at Social Bar and Grill (1715 Dock St.), a scoop of heavenly deep chocolate, subtle salty bacon and espresso ice cream is a perfect ending to your meal.

Offered with pork, beef, prawn or chicken, I find the latter the best in a pan-fried Vietnamese macaroni dish from Le-Le Restaurant (1012 MLK Way) on Hilltop Tacoma. Tender seasoned chicken mingles with a mix of onion, garlic and a savory tomato sauce ($11.95).

Over on South J Street at the 1022 South lounge, the Flora sandwich is a summery concoction of tangy Blue Rose chevre cheese, thin apple slices, basil, red onion and shaved fennel, marinated summer squash ribbons on toasted lightly demi baguette ($8).

It goes against the order of the universe not to hit Johnson's Candy Shop (924 MLK Way). For a late afternoon lunch or early evening dinner, take packages to People's Park and soak up cultural diversity all around.

Practiced at the art of timely to-go order making, one can't go wrong with MSM Deli (2220 Sixth Ave.). The Rueben, a saucy mess of roast beef, cheese and sauerkraut on dark rye, ($4.95) has long been a favorite of mine.

Also on the Ave, the Cuban sandwich at Dirty Oscar's (2309 Sixth Ave.) combines American Kurobuta pork slowly roasted in cilantro, lime, garlic, cumin and coriander with prosciutto, havarti, house made pickles, red pepper Sambal aioli on pressed baguette with smashed plantain chips ($9). The big grassy lawn at Jefferson Park on North Monroe is a great place to call or text Jeff's Ice Cream for mobile cold treats (253) 606-0252.

Lefty's Burger Shack on 27th Street West in University Place has been packed since its July opening. First hand experience dictates getting there right at 11 a.m. when they open. Nab a bag of guilty pleasure meaty, old school drive-thru style burgers, onion rings and fries ($3-$5) before heading straight to Titlow Park.

Once this lunch of gym-visit-inspiring fare is complete, lick away at huckleberry ice cream cones from Steamers Seafood Café (8802 Sixth Ave.) while reminiscing about beach-bon fire keggers in high school. Ah, carefree youth, how we miss thee, much like the brief summer sun once it's gone.

LINK: Drinking in the sun