STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.—In my travels around the snowy borough—and while negotiating piles of snow in potential parking spots—the cleared lot at the King’s Arms proved particularly appealing last week. A scheduled restaurant canceled an interview at the last minute, so I kept the faith and figured the universe had a plan.
And it did. I bumped into broadcaster and show host Mickey Burns, a man who can film in a professional studio with a celebrity one day and settle into a booth at the King’s Arms the next. His pal had missed the ferry, so Mickey had a little time—enough for a quick catch-up at the diner and a profile of the profiler himself as he wrapped up pancakes with a side of nostalgia.
Television host Mickey Burns stops by the Kings Arms, the West Brighton diner known for its warm hospitality and ample parking, despite the snow.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)Profiles in Real Life
If you’ve ever wondered where Staten Island’s familiar faces refuel between interviews, filming days, and trips to warmer places, the answer—at least for one of them—is the King’s Arms Diner in West Brighton. That’s where I ran into Burns, longtime host of NYC Media Network’s award-winning Profiles, now entering its 23rd year on the air. He wasn’t just grabbing breakfast; he offered a full table-side catch-up on his show, his affection for the diner, and his many projects that seem to multiply by the week.
“We’re inching closer to 800 episodes,” he said with a grin. “We love what we do.” The show airs three times a week—Saturday at 11 p.m., Sunday at 7:30 p.m., and late night on Thursday—and reaches nearly 20 million viewers across New Jersey, Long Island, the five boroughs and parts of upstate New York.
Commenters chiming in during our live broadcast illustrated that broad reach as they tuned in from around the Big Apple and beyond.
Established in the ’50s, the Kings Arms remains one of the borough’s longest‑running dining institutions, celebrated for its classic charcoal‑broiled burgers and classic diner look.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)Breakfast with a Broadcaster
Burns is taking Profiles on the road through a new partnership with the Salem Speakers Bureau, following his well‑received live retrospective at the St. George Theatre in January 2025. His next TV guest is musician Gary U.S. Bonds.
A warm moment in the spotlight with friends: From left, Al Lambert stands alongside Vito Picone, celebrated here with the prestigious Legends in Entertainment Award, followed by radio favorite Joe Causi and television host Mickey Burns, all gathered in good spirits for the occasion. Staten Island Advance
He and Al Lambert also co-founded the Vito Capone Award, honoring performing‑arts legends. This year’s honorees include Joe Causi, Wayne Miller, and the late Johnny Maestro. The second annual ceremony will be held in May at the Hilton; last year’s debut sold out in 10 days.
The Kings Arms’ familiar faces includes co-owner Aliki Koutsovasilis.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)The Staten Island Story
Burns’ life story is pure Staten Island. He grew up in Rosebank, moved to the South Beach Houses in fourth grade, and now lives near Clove Lake. He even wrote a book about that journey, From the Projects to Profiles. And despite the national reach of his show, he remains fiercely loyal to King’s Arms.
“I love their pancakes,” he declared. “Fluffy, delicious. Same with the French toast. And the coffee—always good.” He’s there so often he can point out “his” booth—and the one belonging to Lambert, who can often be found scribbling in notebooks and lost in thought in that very booth.
And when he’s not at King’s Arms, he’s elsewhere around the Island supporting other restaurants. Among his favorites: the Casa Belvedere supper club on Grymes Hill; Real Madrid, where the same chef has worked for 30 years; and Jimmy Max, his go‑to for pizza and neighborhood comfort. His next stop—before returning to Staten Island at the end of February—is a warm‑weather escape to Cartagena, Colombia.
Meanwhile, back at King’s Arms, the place was buzzing. Char‑broiled burgers sizzled, and the stainless‑steel décor picked up sunlight from the snow, casting a wavering shimmer across the diner’s ceiling. Slices of the house-made cheesecake beckoned in the display case. Guests dug into lunch specials around $15.95, and the happy abundance of parking only sweetened the visit.
Kings Arms amps up for lunch on a wintry afternoon.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Mickey’s visit rolled right into a Facebook Live where we filled viewers in on restaurant updates—from the debut of Vesuvio Trattoria in Tottenville to the collective heartbreak over Jay’s on the Bay closing Feb. 1, 2026.
Running into Mickey Burns at King’s Arms felt like classic Staten Island—a diner, a familiar face, and a breakfast that turned into a story. “It’s like family here,” he said, and he wasn’t wrong.
The Facebook Live that followed stayed just as lively, thanks to everyone who jumped into the chat to talk food and weather. Good crowd.