Japanese Blood Grass, Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra'

"The grass was least 2-3 feet tall with the plumes reaching another foot."

That's too tall for I. cylindrica, and it rarely if ever blooms.

Panicum Shenandoah???

Here is a link that might be useful: Shenandoah

I think Grass Guy figured it out. Beautiful. Now I must find one for my yard. Thank you for solving my mystery. I'm a happy girl.

You say that the owner rips it out every year....wonder why he does this when this should be a hardy variety in your zone....

Webkat, Your question about hardiness crossed my mind too. I decided one of three things happned.
1) In the 7-8 years since I saw the grass, my memory got foggy. (most likely)
2) The cashier at the McD's thought the owner was buying a new one every year when the grass came up every spring.
3) Panicum Shenandoah is not my mystery grass, rather, it is a similar grass that will look lovely in my garden.
In any case, I'm done searching.

Thank you

Makes me think, what if I ask a cashier at a nearby McD's that has Miscanthus 'Gracilimus'... "What is that grass?"... what kind of blank look would I get? At least you got an answer!

I'm thinking, it was Pennisetum setaceum rubrum. Or annual red fountain grass. An excellent choice for contrasting the golden arches. Lots of folks call it blood grass, and it would explain, why it was replanted every spring, since it's not hardy in frost areas. It has the best red color of any grass on the market. It's the right size and if you you thought it was "the most beautiful grass"? that says it all.