An unofficial Deltarune Fan Cafe event held in Toronto has been heavily criticized by attendees for a series of significant issues, most notably multiple cases of food poisoning attributed to improperly handled takoyaki. The event, organized by Sugar Packet, aimed to celebrate the release of Deltarune's Chapter 5, offering themed food, merchandise, and activities for a $15 admission fee.
According to reports and attendee accounts, the takoyaki served at the event was stored in a cooler that experienced thawing, and at one point, was allegedly left out of the cooler after ice ran out. This mishandling of food led to several attendees experiencing food poisoning, with some requiring urgent medical care or hospitalization. The appearance of the takoyaki itself was also called into question, with one attendee describing it as "kinda undercooked." This situation drew comparisons to the Fyre Festival and other poorly organized events.
Beyond the serious food safety concerns, attendees also reported issues with overcrowding, problems related to merchandise pre-orders, and unexpected changes in pricing. The venue, described as a sparsely decorated college building, also drew criticism, with images circulating online showing what appeared to be a classroom used as the event's kitchen.
In the days following the event, the organizers issued a public apology through multiple Instagram posts. They offered refunds to attendees, announced plans to compensate those who incurred hospital bills due to the takoyaki, and provided information on how to report food safety violations to the city. The organizers also announced a 10-month hiatus for their events and urged attendees to refrain from harassing volunteers, with two named organizers accepting full responsibility for the "failure" of the Deltarune cafe. They have encouraged those affected to report their experiences to the relevant authorities.