Yes, the service is a little bit rushed. The waitresses are running around like mad trying to serve the customers so they can turn the tables for the folks waiting in line. (But they won't rush *you*. In France, you can sit as long as you want, in my experience, until you're ready to ask the server for the "l'addition" (the check).
So why the 5 stars?
1) You're eating in a palatial room.
2) The prices are more than reasonable for Paris. I had a very filling large slice of quiche, a wonderfully fresh and light mixed salad and a heavenly framboise (raspberry) tart for ~17 Euro. That's a steal by Parisian standards. My wife raved about her salad with smoked salmon and salmon mousse, with boiled potatoes on the side. Sounds simple, but the difference between the French and everyone else is that they can do simple and have it come out ethereal.
Note that you must get here before 3 p.m. if you want lunch, after that it becomes a tea and cake place. Not that there's anything wrong with going here for tea and cake. I'd probably like to do that myself at some point.
They also have a covered terrace overlooking the mansion's courtyard, but I think you'd be mad to pass up a chance to have lunch in the Jacquemart-Andre cafe dining room.
Oh and most of the other diners looked and sounded like locals, which is always good news, especially in a city as heavily touristed as Paris.
If you like art, consider visiting the Jacquemart-Andre museum before or after your lunch at the cafe. (You can attend the cafe with or without paying the 11 Euro for entrance to the museum.) The entrance fee may seem a little steep and it's not included in the Paris Museum Pass, but you do get a free audioguide included with your admission price and the museum does have some great 18th century artwork in a much more intimate and charming setting than you'll find at the Louvre.
Amusez-vous bien et bon appetit! read more