Even if the food sucked, the Sausage Factory would surely have become a Castro favorite for the name alone. However, the food -- thick, meaty sauces and stick-to-your-ribs pastas -- is hot, filling and satisfying, just as you would expect from a place by this name. I also love the atmosphere. Everything is dark wood, red cushions and red lights, with walls groaning under the weight of hundreds of fascinating little pictures. It's cozy and can be romantic or casual, depending on your mood. This is a great place to take a laid-back date or a small group of friends.