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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright January 2024
In the bygone era of the 1970s and early 1980s, Kuala Lumpur boasted a notable landmark – the Hilton Drive In, nestled on a vacant lot across from what is now The Pavilion Mall.
Named after the adjacent Kuala Lumpur Hilton, this culinary haven offered an array of delights at rock-bottom prices. Today, it stands replaced by a trendy hotel, erasing the vibrant memories of its heyday.
Executives and office workers flocked to Hilton Drive In day and night, indulging in meals and late-night suppers. A visit promised affordable treasures like Penang rojak or a plate of fried noodles for less than RM5, a stark contrast to the Hilton's upscale coffee house just down the road from there.
My introduction to this hidden gem came from a supervisor at KL Hilton, who suggested meeting at the Drive In after office hours.
In the absence of Google, Waze, or mobile phones, finding the place meant navigating without signboards, relying on helpful petrol station attendants for directions.
Upon arrival, Hilton Drive In didn't match my North American DriveIn expectations. Instead of cars lining up at a colorful counter, it was a vast area of stalls offering local delicacies, lacking the Hilton's cleanliness but making up for it with affordability and flavour, operating 24 hours a day.
The Drive In, devoid of running water and nearby toilets, embraced a rustic charm. Plates were washed in buckets, and serviettes were makeshift rolls of toilet paper on tables covered with plastic that had seen better days.
One memorable encounter was with a gentleman from the real Hilton, offering to show me KL from the ground up. Politely declining dinner, I accepted a bottle of Coke. Our journey led us back to KL Hilton, culminating in the Tin Mine, the hotel's basement haven where local celebrities gathered for nights of revelry.
As the clock struck midnight, I excused myself, resisting the invitation to the Drive In for a late-night supper.
The Drive In may have lacked the glamour of its North American counterparts, but its unique charm, affordability, and 24-hour accessibility etched it into the nostalgic tales of Kuala Lumpur's culinary past.
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