One of my favorite places to get a meal when I am in the Hunter, New York area is Selena's Diner located in the village of Haines Falls right on Route 23A. This diner offers some great food and some great variety that should provide enough choice for just about everyone to have a good meal. Not only that, but you can get breakfast all day and in my book, that makes for a great place to eat.

Selena's follows the mold of many local diners in the area with a large menu, good sized portions, pleasant (and quick) service and a down home atmosphere. Located right on Route 23A, the major route to the Hunter Mountain Ski Area and the rest of the Hunter area attractions (hiking, biking, etc), the diner can be busy, especially on peak weekends, but even if you have to wait a bit, it is worth it.

Where is it?

Selena's is right on Route 23A in the village of Haines Falls, which is located at the top of where Route 23A makes its way up through Kaaterskill Clove to the mountaintop. There's plenty of free parking for all but the busiest times. From the village of Tannersville to the west it's about a 5 minute trip and from the village of Hunter, also to the west, it's a 10 to 15 minute drive.

Basics

You can get breakfast, lunch and dinner at Selena's. They are open from about 6 in the morning through 9 at night most nights, but it does change a bit with the seasons since during some periods it is pretty dead on the mountaintop.

For all three meals, the menu is quite large and you'll have plenty of different choices to mull through as you are considering your meal. Breakfast has all the favorites. For me, I go with the breakfast special #1, which gives me two pancakes, two eggs, home fries, toast and coffee for about $7. My partner likes the french toast version. There are also omelets, wraps and waffles. A nice part of Selena's is that the full breakfast menu is available all day, so you don't need to worry about getting there in time for breakfast.

Lunch and dinner pretty much doubles the size of the breakfast menu with several different pages of choices. There are sandwiches, wraps, burgers, salads, appetizers, baskets, pasta, entrees and seafood dishes! I know, it can take longer to decide on a meal than it will to eat it! Since I don't go very often, I usually stick to one dish - the hot turkey sandwich. I just really like it, the gravy, the fresh turkey, the fries I can dip in the gravy. It's just so good. Failing that, I usually go with a a chicken sandwich or the chicken parmigiana pasta dish.

The portion sizes all around are quite large. I find that I can eat about half and be comfortably full. I almost always end up bringing food home, as does everyone I go with. Even breakfast seems like a ton of food and I would be surprised if anyone could leave Selena's feeling hungry.

The prices are also quite reasonable with most meals being $10 or less per person if you figure in a drink. The entrees and seafood meals are a bit more expensive and probably will run you between $15 to $20 per person with drinks.

If you manage to save room, there are desserts available that include fresh pies and cakes. I've actually never made it to a dessert, but they look good in the display case.

Experiences

I've been eating at Selena's for years when I've gone home and visited family in the Catskills. I can't say that I've really had a bad experience in all that time. The wait staff has always been friendly and quick. Even if there has been a problem they've been up front with it and we've had a good meal. I've been there for breakfast, lunch and dinner and all are just as good. I love the fact that you get good sized portions - especially after hiking all day or something similar, it's great to sit down and have all that food.

Final Thoughts

I find it hard not to like Selena's. It has as down home casual atmosphere with great food and good service. I'd think that anyone could find something that they would enjoy and no one will leave the diner hungry with their large portion sizes.

If you're looking for a meal and you're in the Hunter, Tannersville, Haines Falls mountaintop area, stop at Selena's Diner and enjoy yourself.


More Catskills Resources
The Catskills
Hunter, Tannersville and Haines Falls
Woodstock
Phoenicia
Hunter Mountain Wild Forest
Westkill Mountain Wilderness Area
Tremper Mountain Fire Tower
Hunter Mountain Fire Tower
Woodland Valley Campground
Devil's Tombstone Campground and Day-Use Area
North-South Lake State Campground and Day-Use Area
Hunter Mountain Ski Resort
Ski Windham Ski Resort
Belleayre Mountain Ski Resort
Emerson Place
Catskill Trails Map Set

Recommended: Yes

Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Just about everything on the menu is good