In the hope of stimulating something positive, I am really glad that this is not my problem.

If you have the attention to detail to apply drip system in the crack between cement blocks and a cover them with sod, you could probably become some type of whiz at Bonsai or Orchids or sme other labor intensive pursuit. Thats alot more planning than Ive ever considered. What about watercress? (Just kidding). lots of really tough little creeping plants may not want that much water. Although a scotch moss might work.

If the 10 in your reply refers to USDA zone 10 conditions, then there are 100's of groundcovers you could use in the gaps between concrete pads with drip irrigation. I am assuming you used in-line emitters with 12" or 6" o.c. spacing or soaker line. I would suggest things like Isotoma fluviatilis, Baby Tears, Dymondia(best with more sun and let somewhat dry in between irrigations),Dwarf Mondo Grass, Irish or Scotch Moss, Australian Violet, etc, etc. I hope that you have this area valved separately from the other drip within the garden, because in such a limited space you don't need more than just a few minutes daily to keep it well watered, and if it is drip connected to other drip areas, you are probably watering much longer than that.

You might also consider using mexican pebble laid on edge and mortared in place as an alternative to ground cover, as almost any ground cover will eventually require clipping and grooming to keep it neat, which I suppose was your reason to remove the grass.

If you do want to explore the grass look alike options, Carex pansa or Zoysia grass would also be good options, and require less clipping on a weekly basis than fescue or other cool season grasses.

Funny, I have a patch of 2 ft square concrete slabs with 2" gaps where we have just installed sod strips after years of trying to get ground covers established. Fighting with the weeds became an intolerable nightmare.

I think the right answer depends on what your issues are with the grass. Don't like the clipping? Problem with elevation change between slabs and strips? Weeds?

The answer also depends on your expectations. For instance, whether you want something evergreen (may be a given in your climate), and whether you want something to creep over the surface of the stones. Grass will do this, of course, if the soil level is high enough, but not like woolly thyme, for instance, which could completely cover the slabs within a year or two. Finally, expectations regarding weeding - mondo grass is wonderful, but you have to plan for a couple of years of intensive weeding until it is established enough to compete.

I think the mini-mondo would work...but I still think turf is probably the best/easiest solution. What is it doing, or not doing, that you don't like?

I have had good success with dwarf mondo, if not too much baking sun. It grows well in almost full shade here.

Grass will grow out onto the tops of the concrete areas in time. Unless you don't mind this, you will need to "edge" these areas continually.

One of the more compact creeping Thymes might be nice, and smells wonderful when you step on it. It probably doesn't need the irrigation once it's established, but I've never gardened in your zone.