Dreading entertaining your parents this weekend? Stuck trying to plan days of family-friendly activities when you really just want to hang with your friends?

The University of Iowa’s family weekend from Friday to Nov. 11 will leave many of us pulling our hair out, making us look like our fathers. (No offense, Dad.)

Plenty of parents will roam around campus and explore the city their children have lived in.

Where to go for lunch: Mesa Pizza, 114 E. Washington St.

If you are in the mood for a quick, filling, inexpensive, and unique snack, you certainly need to take the parents over to this Iowa City icon. You haven’t truly explored this town until you’ve had yourself some Mesa.

Choose from a very interesting selection of toppings in flavors ranging from buffalo chicken to cheesy potato.

The Mac ’n’ Cheese pizza is an intriguing favorite and a signature dish found in this colorful restaurant, and I am a lover of the old-school pepperoni, which is one thing no one makes better than Mesa.

If you don’t feel like seeing the friendly faces of the Mesa staff members, they can come to you and deliver a great pizza of your choice for free if you just give them a call at 319-351-MESA.

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Where to go for a casual dinner: Short’s, 18 S. Clinton St.

Iowa City’s ultimate burger place is always a great stop to make and my dad’s favorite when he is in town.

Its cozy and inviting atmosphere complements the delicious menu of sandwiches. Signatures include the 18 S. Clinton original burger, named after the restaurant’s address, but if you’d like to be a little more adventurous, as do my roommate and I, try out the Beaconsfield, covered in bacon and barbecue sauce.

All its beef is home-grown Iowa meat from Ed Smith Farms, too. And don’t forget fries. Its seasoned potato fries are a mouthwatering side dish to the ginormous burgers.

Short’s also has a small selection of black-bean burgers for those vegetarian family members. And if your parents are in the mood for a beverage, Short’s bar has a wide selection of drinks, including 10 local brews on draft ranging from Peace Tree of Knoxville to Great River Brewery of Davenport.

Where to go for dessert: Molly’s Cupcakes, 14 S. Clinton St.

As winter descends upon us, cold treats such as Coldstone and Orange Leaf don’t exactly make sense when you are trying to keep warm.

But don’t fret, Iowa City still has a few places that can provide a sweet treat that won’t freeze you.

One of the most popular places is Molly’s Cupcakes. Molly’s offers a bright and fun atmosphere along with the widest selection of cupcakes you can find.

Choose from four classic flavors and an endless and ever-changing seasonal list of center-filled ones. Then pick out your favorite frosting, throw on some sprinkles, and you are good to go.

I am a huge fan of cupcakes in general and love a good helping of cream cheese frosting on top of a classic vanilla, occasionally filled with cake batter. Just for the season, Molly’s has also busted out the pies to add to its collection of other treats, including cookies, bars, and cheesecake.

All of these adorable desserts can be order for carry-out, so your family can enjoy the sweetness even after they leave, and you can know what flavors to bring home for winter break.

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