Ricky's Blue Heaven is in a state of crisis. Apparently the local yokels have decided that dirt floors, wandering chickens, and an overhead rope swing are not compatible with 21st-century health department regulations.
Idiots!
The real issue is the neighbors, who have complained that the Blue Heaven is too much fun, too crowded, and too noisy. Party Poopers!
In reality, like most of Key West (which was founded by ship wreckers - legally licensed pirates), the site of Ricky's Blue Heaven was a whorehouse. And the locals got to watch the goings-on. So if they're mad now, it's because it's not as much fun watching people eating as it was watching them do the horizontal mambo.
On two separate visits, we found the Blue Heaven to have the best food in Key West. Asian/Caribbean/Fusion/Funky menu (sorta hard to describe, actually). And even if it wasn't such a fun place, it would be a culinary treat.
Here are some of the menu items from our 2004 visit (from a purloined menu—don't tell anybody we have it!):
Vegetarian Gumbo Soup—Mildly spicy, with okra, tomatoes, and peppers. Garnished with brown basmati rice.
Caribbean BBQ Shrimp—Seared with garlic, shallots and jerk seasonings, deglazed with Red Stripe Beer and served with basmati rice, black beans, vegetables, and plantains. Served with black skillet corn bread.
Grouper - Rubbed with dry Caribbean spices, seared in a cast iron skillet, served with warmed julienne red onions, half moon cucumbers, lime and honey glaze, with herb potatoes.
They don't take reservations, so get there early and start drinking until your table is ready (and that's another Key West tradition). If it's still open when you get there, they're probably succeeded in persuading or bribing the local officials to let them stay in business. If they're closed, it is a loss to cultured humanity.