Page 7D

Irv Gordon explains the universe

He has driven the USA enough to know a thing or two about life on the road. A few findings:Best state for steaks:

Missouri

''There's a steakhouse just off I- 44 in Rolla, Mo., that has the

thickest, juiciest steaks. . . . Either that, or I was so hungry I didn't know any better, but I still remember it. Unfortunately, I don't go that way anymore.''Cleanest restrooms:

The South

''Particularly Virginia, the Carolinas, Alabama and Mississippi. The rest stops in the Western states have the best architecture.''Friendliest drivers:

New Hampshire

''I'm well out of New York's busy highways by then, and it seems like I leave the stress at the state line. Drivers are courteous, they'll switch lanes with their turn signals, let me merge, even wave.''Best Southern cooking: New Orleans

''The jambalaya is authentic and spicy.''Best cup of coffee:

Waffle House

''Nothing gets my blood going like an early morning visit to any roadside Waffle House. Never had a waffle there, though.''Best city to drive through at night: Chicago

''At night, the Midwest skies are clear and the city looks like a portrait.''Smoothest rush-hour traffic: Portland, Ore.

''I had to laugh when the traffic report said the rush hour was bad the day I was passing through. I was going 50 miles an hour!''Best state for barbecue: Tennessee

''And Memphis is the best.''