The American Dream Story of Damon & Bradi Carney, Co-Founders of The Tin Cup
By Office of Communication
Posted on July 19, 2023, July 19, 2023

Editor's Note: This article was originally published Apr. 21, 2023. The story was updated July 19, 2023, to include an American Dream Story episode about the eatery. 

Damon and Bradi Carney are living The American Dream, as their ace-high establishment of The Tin Cup celebrates its 20th anniversary in Arlington in 2023.  

“When we opened this place, my wife and I always wanted a comfortable place where friends and family could come, break bread and just enjoy a good meal,” said co-owner Damon Carney.

Step inside and you’ll receive a howdy from partners in life and in the business, Hollywood actor Damon Carney and his wife Bradi Carney. 

“I want this to be that place that they remember 10 years ago, and it’s still the same,” said co-owner Bradi Carney. “Maybe faces change but the actual shop is still the shop.”

Not to confuse the establishment with the similarly named movie, the Carney’s gutted this old copy/paper shop, did the renovations themselves and provided aesthetics that created a distinctive character for the eatery. 

“We were gathering these things and renovating, and it started to take on a Western feel to it,” said Damon Carney. “Because of the western theme I thought because cowboys drink coffee out of a tin cup, we’d call it The Tin Cup.”

While the Carney’s disagree whether that story came before or after actually deciding on the name, what they fully agree on is the western themed menu Mrs. Carney created that feature deli styled panini’s, soups and more. 

“The Alamo is the most popular,” said Bradi Carney. 

“It’s got the Boar’s head deli sliced Chicken, sun dried tomatoes, chives, avocado, mozzarella, chipotle mayo toasted on focaccia bread,” said Damon Carney. “It is our Italian herb bread that we toast on the panini grill, which we get from a local bakery.

“I ate the John Wayne for like 14 years,” said Bradi Carney. “That is ham, turkey, pastrami, lettuce, tomato, onions, cheddar cheese, chipotle mayo grilled on focaccia bread.

That chipotle mayo the couple mentioned is homemade.

“All the sandwiches are served with potato sticks, little chips, and a bite sized chocolate chip cookie,” said Damon Carney. 

From being featured as a restaurant during select Texas Rangers baseball games this season to serving this community for now 20 years, the Carney’s are grateful for the support they receive right here in The American Dream City. 

“That’s why we’re still here at 20 years because of this community,” said Damon Carney.

“This is in our community,” said Bradi Carney. “This is where we live, this is where we work, this is where the kids went to school, this was important. And I just wanted other people to feel the same way that we did.”

The Tin Cup is located at 1025 W. Abram St. in Arlington. For operating hours and more information, visit the restaurant’s Facebook page

Food from The Tin Cup in Arlington.
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