Need wing advice

I make wings frequently but have never been able to get my picky eater to try them. I typically cook them "naked" then sauce them. We like them saucy. Picky eater comes home Friday and had gone to dinner with a friend and (thank you peer pressure) tried wings. He said they tasted like the sauce I use but they weren't "wet". I've had them like this at restaurants before. Even in their pre-sauce state they have a hint of buffalo. Any advice on how to replicate? Is it as simple as marinating the wings in wing sauce before frying?